Third state liquor store proposed for West Seattle

The state Liquor Control Board is hoping to open a third liquor store in West Seattle. We have Andy to thank for the tip on this one – he discovered the “business opportunity” listing on the LCB site, seeking three new contract liquor stores in King County, including these criteria:

Successful applicants will be responsible for providing a suitable store location:
* At least 1.5 miles from other liquor stores
* 1,000 feet or more from schools and churches (RCW 66.24.010 – 9A)
* Located within a retail shopping hub

With preference given to:
* Stores at least 2,100 square feet
* West Seattle/Admiral area of King County

We followed up with the LCB media team. Spokesperson Anne Radford confirmed, “We hope to open one of the three new contract liquor stores in the Admiral area. This store would be in addition to the West Seattle Junction/Westwood Village stores.” The deadline for applications was December 23rd, so there’s no word yet about a possible location/operator. Meantime, we also asked about the search for a new location for the Junction store, and Radford had this update: “We’ve extended the lease at the current West Seattle Junction store until the end of June. We’re still working on a new location in the area. We may have additional details by the end of January.” The lease originally was set to expire in February, as we reported last May; a “for lease” sign’s been up at the location for two months.

Paul December 29, 2010 (12:43 pm)

It’s bad enough this poison is legal, but does it have to be so readily available. Cheers!

Gina December 29, 2010 (1:13 pm)

The NE part of the Admiral Safeway project.

GenHill December 29, 2010 (1:28 pm)

Just what we need. How about a casino, too?

jep December 29, 2010 (1:30 pm)

So liquor stores can’t be within 1000 ft of a school but a convicted child sex offender can?

Jeff F. December 29, 2010 (1:34 pm)

How about an aisle INSIDE the new Safeway? Olympia needs to find new ways to cut the budget, privatizing liquor sales is a good way to start!

My two cents ... December 29, 2010 (1:35 pm)

@Paul – apart from the 13 year period of prohibition (which ended 70+ years ago) alcohol (aka “poison” in your words) has been legal. What’s next on your agenda? Take back the vote from women? Roll back civil rights? Stop equal rights?

@GenHill – zoning issues preclude a casino.

Jennifer December 29, 2010 (1:38 pm)

Isn’t there a Casino on Roxburry, next door to Planned Parenthood, across the street from Safeway

old timer December 29, 2010 (1:39 pm)

RE: The Junction store:
How about that currently unused space under the new QFC?
Where that office supply place was to go.
Parking may be a challenge, but maybe some 30 minute spaces on the streets in front would help.

GenHillOne December 29, 2010 (1:41 pm)

Since there seem to be two similar user names ;) I feel the need to express myself…in response to Paul – yes, yes it does! In all seriousness, don’t I recall that the Junction location may be in danger of going away if the lease issue isn’t settled eventually anyway? And full disclosure, I voted for privatization of liquor sales, so…personally, I’m not too worried about saturation.

WSB December 29, 2010 (1:45 pm)

Jennifer – that casino is outside city limits (the boundary is generally, although not precisely, right down the middle of Roxbury):
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GHO – They have been pretty resolute about finding a new location – see the last line of the story (and this isn’t the first time we’ve spoken with LCB about this) – TR

Blair December 29, 2010 (1:56 pm)

Wish I could just go to 7-11 to buy liquor! Washington voters love the governemnt to make sure they don’t get out of control.

Jeff December 29, 2010 (2:05 pm)

I’m all for any nearby locations that mean I don’t have to go to the one at the Alaska Junction. The staff there can be very unpleasant.

Jeff December 29, 2010 (2:07 pm)

People in this state get so upset about the availability of liquor. I grew up in California where you can get liquor in all kind stores and it didn’t turn me into a degenerate. At least not much of one anyway.

coffee December 29, 2010 (2:22 pm)

Coming from a long line of drinkers, in my family, the issue was not close proximity to getting the drink of choice, they always found their ways, so I don’t think that a 3rd store is going to cause any further issues. I dont see anyone picking on all the other stores that sell beer, wine, or smokes, or the bars.

The Hepcat December 29, 2010 (2:50 pm)

Coffee is right. True abusers, like I was, will go to any lengths to find booze. Location is irrelevant. Liquor stores serve a need to the community. Granted, I moved from a state where you could purchase booze at grocery stores and I never tripped over any drunks in doorways. Let’s not rip on the store locations. If it serves a need, so be it.

Cheers!

The Hepcat

J.See December 29, 2010 (2:51 pm)

HOORAY! Liquor in Admiral would be lovely! That way I can start my business of buying liquor and selling it to high school students at a huge markup.

Under_Achiever December 29, 2010 (2:53 pm)

The last time I checked liquor was an inanimate object (although its use can make some very animated). With Seattle’s goal of becomming a more walkable city shouldn’t there be a LCB approved retailer within comfortable walking/stumbling distance from each and every West Seattlite?

JanS December 29, 2010 (2:57 pm)

lol..J. See…like they don’t get it already?

J.See December 29, 2010 (3:18 pm)

When I went to high school at WSHS, I knew people who drove me in their vehicles to other locations to buy booze – the proximity to the high school didn’t matter, we’d get it where we could. People who drink are going to drink, it will just make it less of a huge pain in the ass to have one closer – and possibly generate more revenue!

toddinwestwood December 29, 2010 (4:42 pm)

“WONT SOMEBODY PLEASE THINK OF THE CHILDREN!”

MacJ December 29, 2010 (4:48 pm)

1000 ft. away from churches? Maybe to prevent last-second flask fillers before Sunday service? Oh wait, you can’t buy liquor on Sunday either. Because… well, just because.

Al December 29, 2010 (4:56 pm)

Don’t we already have in the Admiral District 5 restaurants in a two block radius that sell liquor and 6 more restaurants that sell beer and wine, and when Safeway reopens, 3 stores and at least 2 gas stations that sell beer and wine? So it sounds like we need more packaged alcohol to go and add to the already snarled traffic and parking problems.

smash the state December 29, 2010 (4:57 pm)

i also don’t understand the 1000 foot rule for churches. don’t we give these religious people enough of a free ride already?

miws December 29, 2010 (5:37 pm)

MacJ, actually, for the last couple of years or so, some Liquor Stores have been open on Sundays.

I think they started out with a very few, to see how sales were, then added some more. I believe the current Junction Store is one that is now open on Sundays.

Also, some Stores, (probably the same ones), are open on some of the Holidays they’ve traditionally closed, such as Columbus Day, President’s Day, and some others.

Mike

Paul December 29, 2010 (9:10 pm)

@My two cents- I did not say it was not legal. Please don’t drive after your next drink

HunterG December 29, 2010 (11:37 pm)

Oh Paul, how annoying you are.

My two cents ... December 30, 2010 (5:13 am)

@Paul. Your statement “It’s bad enough this poison is legal …” seemed to infer that you wish it was illegal as it was during the time of prohibition. Sorry if I was confused by the intent of your statement.

Case in point – the “Please don’t drive after your next drink”. Is that directed at me? Is it a general public warning and reminder?

Bianca December 30, 2010 (8:14 am)

@ todd – HAAAA!

moxilot December 30, 2010 (9:44 am)

“So it sounds like we need more packaged alcohol to go and add to the already snarled traffic and parking problems.”

Is that because so many people are clamoring for a liquor store that traffic will be like Christmas at the mall, except every day? Or do you think people will start taking swigs of their liquor on the way home, thereby causing accidents?

Either way… that’s ridiculous.

Rick December 30, 2010 (1:18 pm)

“1000 feet from churches”? Whatever happened to the separation between church and state? Yet it’s legal for church to serve sacramental wine. Big J turned water into wine. Maybe if He hadn’t done that we wouldn’t be having this discussion. (sarcasm) Alcohol’s been around almost forever. Prohibition was a huge failure,except for the likes of Capone. Silliness.

maplesyrup December 30, 2010 (3:28 pm)

I want a law that makes it illegal for a church to open within 1000 feet of a liquor store.

And more liquor stores.

redblack December 30, 2010 (3:37 pm)

yes, rick. human beings have a *very* close relationship with inebriation of all forms. it’s in our DNA. most of us admit it, a lot of us embrace it, and some of us don’t have any problems. and most of the problems with inebriation come directly from not admitting or embracing it.
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driving inebriated is an obvious exception.
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personally, i think church is the most logical place to get drunk. all that talk of death…
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:D
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i agree with old timer, though. capco plaza would be a great location for the junction liquor store. (although i’m sure the teabaggers will whine about the state paying too much for a lease there.)
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capco would be as close as you could possibly get to buying liquor *in* the QFC.

Mak December 30, 2010 (6:39 pm)

Seems every block I go these days theres a new bar or wine store,beer store or liquor store available or moving in.It completely explains all the side swiped or crashed cars around the area.You never know if your car is going to be in working order then next morning heading to work.

dawsonct December 31, 2010 (9:06 am)

Really Mak? You’ve done studies?
The fact that liquor is legal and available is in DIRECT correlation with every scratch and dent on a vehicle in West Seattle!? I think you are full of shyt, and don’t have a clue as to what you are speaking of.

Travs January 1, 2011 (1:12 pm)

Humans have shown, through history, that they have no problem doing stupid and hurtful things sober. Being able to have a drink, in a responsible fashion, just makes humans that much easier to live with.

Sorry, comment time is over.