BIZNOTE: Capco Beverages closing

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | WS beverages

Thanks for the tips. Capco Beverages (4100 SW Alaska) in The Junction – West Seattle’s only liquor store – confirms it’s closing in January. Manager Dolly Amend tells WSB that they’ve launched a big sale because “everything must go.” The store opened eight years ago in what had been a state liquor store. Online listings indicate the space has been offered for lease for a while. According to Amend, Swedish is moving into the space; we have a message out seeking more details on that.

CL November 16, 2020 (4:23 pm)

Well dang, I had just finally dedicated myself to getting some good whiskey there as a treat during pandemic times. Other than grocery stores (which typically require a secondary “zone” for buy liquor), where are people going?

WS Rob November 22, 2020 (8:57 pm)

Yeah me too. Crap. I’m NOT going to the clip joint in White Center, across from the pot store. They are nice at Esquin.

Kram November 16, 2020 (4:50 pm)

Was there any news as to why? I thought during the pandemic people were drinking more at home. They did a good job with their selection in that small space. Maybe all the grocery store competition was hard to compete with?

Niko November 16, 2020 (4:58 pm)

I really like this little place but they did have a problem of sometimes charging way more than other locations. however I was willing to put up with it since they had good service and they were specifically a dedicated liquor store. Sorry to see another business go

R2 November 16, 2020 (5:12 pm)

I’m so sorry to hear this! I’ve always appreciated their wide selection and done my best, shy of becoming a total lush, to support this business. I honestly find it hard to believe they weren’t thriving in the midst of this pandemic.

Just wondering November 16, 2020 (5:29 pm)

Capo is a liquor “only” store but you can buy hard liquor and wine even at Bartell’s!

AdmiralSDV November 16, 2020 (5:39 pm)

Not sure I fully understand your comment, but to clarify, one may purchase liquor, wine, and even some types of beer at Capco. To add, they are knowledgeable and helpful with their expansive selection. I’m bummed to see them go.
wsres November 16, 2020 (5:46 pm)

Washington state used to have liquor only stores and then a few years ago it changed and grocery stores could sell hard liquor too.

Derek November 16, 2020 (5:40 pm)

All the good places going…. bridge more likely why than pandemic

WSB November 16, 2020 (7:25 pm)

If you click through to the for-lease listing, it dates back to long before either. (Its flyer is dated July 2019.)

square eyes November 16, 2020 (5:41 pm)

Oh this is such a bummer. We do buy most liquor at costco and QFC but there are a few things not easily found that capco always had. My husband suspected they were struggling due to unusually empty shelves recently.

Anon November 16, 2020 (8:43 pm)

When one buys mostly from the big box stores, the smaller ones will eventually close. We cannot buy ‘most’ from corporate and only go to the local places for a few specialty items. If we don’t support our small shops on a consistent basis, they will be gone. Especially now with the global pandemic we are going through. Costco doesn’t need your consistent purchases. Your local merchants do.

Rdubs November 16, 2020 (5:46 pm)

I’m going to miss their selection of smaller batch and local liquors that a bunch of the grocery stores don’t carry

SeaVieu November 16, 2020 (5:51 pm)

This is really disappointing news. Capco had engaged, helpful staff and a huge selection. They curated areas like woman-owned distilleries. I’m really sad, especially going into the holiday season when we went there most often.

Evan November 16, 2020 (6:03 pm)

This is awful news, I’m so sorry to hear it. They have probably the best selection in the city.

Michael Waldo November 16, 2020 (6:11 pm)

No retail store had the selection that Capo’s has. I will miss discovering a new and unusual Liqueur.

Kathy November 16, 2020 (6:30 pm)

So sorry to hear this. They had a great selection of spirits.

SunDevil November 16, 2020 (6:43 pm)

Ah, the memories of the old state liquor store. So glad I don’t have to wait for them to open just to buy a bottle and I can swing by the Bartell or QFC.

DeadEnder November 16, 2020 (7:58 pm)

Reads more like they lost the space vs. were driven out of business.One of the best selections locally, and nowhere affordable to go.A serious loss, if you ask me, but… Landlords need their portion and’what the market will bear’ factors in to those decisions. I hopeSwedish can compete w/ the Dignity Health/Highline Urgent Careand they don’t BOTH go out of business. That would be tragic.

WSB November 16, 2020 (8:12 pm)

In this case the landlord is also the store owner.

Al King November 16, 2020 (8:44 pm)

Owner owns a LOT of space in the junction. He’s NOT hurting for money. This was a simple business decision.

Brian November 17, 2020 (9:11 am)

Agreed, all of these well wishes and words of encouragement are strange when you realize the guy also owns the building his store is in. I mean, isnt the public area outside the QFC called Capco Plaza? The dude is fine, he just doesn’t run a liquor store anymore.
- WSB November 17, 2020 (10:11 am)
  
  Kind words are not only for store owners, They’re also for those who work there. This store, for example, has had the same manager from the start.
  - Anne November 17, 2020 (2:01 pm)
    
    Yes -manager & employees were the best—very knowledgeable-often gave me great advice (as I know little about good spirits) on something for myself -or a gift.

Melissa November 16, 2020 (9:43 pm)

If you’re looking for a (nearly) local liquor store with an amazing selection and terrific service, Esquin in Sodo is your place.

CL November 16, 2020 (10:06 pm)

Thanks for the rec!

Anne November 17, 2020 (8:37 am)

As someone already mentioned-CAPCO -run by property owner -who owns several other WS properties. Perhaps there just wasn’t enough business to make store profitable. Swedish moving into that space could be a great benefit for many & a money maker at the same time. Sorry to see it go- I try to shop local ALWAYS & appreciated the wide variety they carried. Will continue to shop local for basics- probably go to Total Wine for variety.

trickycoolj November 17, 2020 (10:49 am)

Bummer to see such a nice selection go. There’s things you just can’t get at the grocery stores. I Am curious about what Swedish is moving in. I need a new Primary doctor and with the bridge closure I’m really questioning whether to stick with Polyclinic Northgate as I only stayed because I loved my provider that changed specialties.

David November 19, 2020 (11:45 pm)

This is heartbreaking. I’ve gone there for years for my liquor needs. They have some hard to find favorites, and are even the best place to buy bitters. Hell, I went there just a couple of weeks ago…

Jen December 6, 2020 (3:17 pm)

Super, super bummed about this. Capco has been my reliable go-to for years for hard-to-find and special order liquors. Definitely can’t find a comparable selection without leaving West Seattle, which, as we all know, is a PITA these days.