Not in West Seattle, but not far: BevMo location revealed

It has come up so often in WSB comments related to our coverage of who’s seeking liquor-selling licenses for when privatization kicks in, that we feel obliged to mention we just spotted this: Browsing the latest liquor-license applications overnight, we noticed something that does not seem to have been reported elsewhere – the chain BevMo! (Beverages and More) has revealed its first King County location, by applying for a license. According to the Washington State Liquor Control Board‘s list of local license applications, BevMo is planning a location in the Southcenter area, 17197 Southcenter Parkway (map). They currently operate in California and Arizona only, but their arrival here was a source of speculation in this recent story from our partners at the Seattle Times. (As for prospective hard-liquor sellers in West Seattle, so far, as we reported here and here, six supermarkets are the first to apply. That list is bound to grow, since privatization doesn’t take effect till June 1st.)

haha February 12, 2012 (7:25 am)

I used to go to these all the time during my short stint of living in LA. Great selection!

SirFun February 12, 2012 (8:22 am)

This is going to be a great summer, I can just feel it!!

JAT February 12, 2012 (8:51 am)

All hail the carpetbagger capitalists!!! I for one welcome the opportunity to ship liquor profits out of state.

Adam February 12, 2012 (11:01 am)

All hail trite, condescending, wrongheaded jingoisms!

Ted February 12, 2012 (12:28 pm)

Adam,

I would encourage you and anyone who voted for the liquor privatization to go to the BevMo website at check out the prices. My favorite gin that is is $37 for 750 mL at a WSLCB store is $34 on their site. Not quite the savings the Costco financed pro-privatization side was touting during the campaign.

N February 12, 2012 (1:07 pm)

The prices on BevMo’s website will not be the pricing on the shelves here in WA. What you get in CA is not apples to apples to what you will get in WA. Pricing will be higher due to the various taxes and small print that was written into the initiative. Unfortunately, the consumer will be paying up to 35% more for the same product that was currently on the WSLCB shelf. We’re not against taking the state our of the liquor business but this initiative wasn’t the right way to do it…it has negative impacts to small, local businesses and raises costs to the consumer. Unless you buy house brand private labels at the large stores, the consumer will be paying more. Another boost to padding the pockets for the corporation and damaging to small local business including small distilleries and wineries. Rather than hopping in your car, burning costly gas and time, support your smaller local businesses who work hard to give you the same competitive pricing and more selection of boutique producers. Plus the one on one assistance and customer service at a small shop can’t be beat…try finding someone to help you find the right selection or pairing at a Costco or large superstore, unless you’re shopping for mere volume and don’t care what it tastes like. We’ll be shopping local neighborhood businesses to maintain what we love about West Seattle. Imagine a WS filled with only big box chains and large surface parking lots (suburbia everywhere USA)…no thanks.

SA February 12, 2012 (2:50 pm)

BevMo should be a good addition around here. Can’t wait. I think though we will see a few years of learning to live within the new regulatory framework, and that tweaks to the new law are going to be inevitable, but it may take time.

S5 February 12, 2012 (3:36 pm)

Whoo hooo!!! BevMo is awesome. I’ve found some of the most delicious beers there and also some hard-to-find-anywhere-else gins.

on call February 12, 2012 (4:42 pm)

It doesn’t matter what the price differences are, the government has no business running retail stores of any kind.

Snow Wimp February 12, 2012 (8:36 pm)

The strongest beverage I drink is Diet Coke. With a pint of vodka as the chaser. Daily. Hehe

But have fun, everyone, with the cheap liquor at BevMo, Rite-Aid, and Costco…in June…LOL

haha February 13, 2012 (5:44 am)

In my mind the initiative was never about price. Maybe if you are a hardcore drinker it would be. But saving a couple buck here and there won’t add up to much over the course of a year. For me it was about getting some actual selection. The state run store had no selection compared to private stores I’ve been to in other state.

Plus states have no business running retail stores.

Sorry, comment time is over.