The argument that the state will lose tax revenues on liquor if we privatize is difficult to get one’s head around, considering the state almost never feels like selling liquor. Imagine the tax revenues if liquor were, like, available.
Christopher Frizzelle was The Stranger's print editor, and first joined the staff in 2003. He was the editor-in-chief from 2007 to 2016, and edited the story by Eli Sanders that won a 2012 Pulitzer... More by Christopher Frizzelle
@COMTE – Squire Park…*giggle*
@shutever – the State doesn’t get revenue from the taxes collected, but also from the markups at the stores. Privatization would require increases in the taxes to make up for the lost revenue from the markups (even taking into account the “savings” from laying off the employees of the stores…because layoffs are good for the economy, especially if it means Frizzelle can get some of grandpa’s old cough syrup at all hours of the day).
Just too bad there’s NO BARS anywhere around where you live where you could have gone to get a drink on a Sunday!
You know, the kind of privately owned and operated bars that advertise in the Stranger & the Slog and who employ many of your readers — the kind whose continued business health puts money in your pocket so you can spend it on booze for yourself and your kin. Yeah, that kind.
But, you’re right… YOU saving $10 by being able to buy a bottle and drink it at home (on the one day out of every three months that the liquor store is inconveniently closed) is just such a better policy for both you the local economy all around, now isn’t it now?
Ha ha! It looks like you banged on the door hard enough to dislodge part of the signage!! You should never be denied alcohol…
@49 for the Useful Idea win.
@51:
What? That’s the name of the neighborhood, one of the oldest in the City, BTW. Encompasses an area in the CD bordered by 12th Ave to the west, 23rd to the east, E. Union to the North & S. Jackson to the south. We gots our own community council, web site AND a Wikipedia entry, so there!
Plan ahead, asshole.
@55 – Hey, I used to live in Squire Park – a short walk from Katy’s (after it opened), and was a regular at the mini-mart at 21st and E Union.
But it’s one of those neighborhoods that, so far as I can tell, few people outside of it know exists.
But the 20th Ave block party on Labor Day = boss!
Sorry, I interpreted the *giggle* in your post as being somewhat mocking. My bad.
@58 – hey, I live in the Lynnwood of Seattle (Eastlake). I have no room to mock any neighborhood. 🙂
@36 FTW
And another Squire Park resident with a small apartment who does not have any problem with keeping a bar stocked.
The first time I agree with #14. Thank you.
My favorite thing about Denver is that I can go to the liquor store on Sunday–even the blessed holy Easter Sunday. I lived in Minnesoata for 7 years–liquor stores (run by whatever city you hapen to be in) are closed on Sunday, because no ‘city business’ is conducted on Sunday. Hmmmm…how much city business is conducted on Saturday, really?
Yeah, that’s what you need to be doing lately, Friz. Getting lit. Haven’t you been in enough trouble as it is? Everybody knows by now.
I’m going to assume there are good reasons for privatizing liquor sales in Washington, but seeing as where I’m from all alcohol sales are privatized, and not only can you not buy any alcohol for home drinking after ten, whether from a liquor store, corner shop or supermarket, and it’s illegal to buy alcohol anywhere on Good Friday, I’m finding it hard to be sympathetic.
I got your back on this one, Frizzelle. If the laughable “plan ahead” excuse is going to be used every time there is an argument for privatization of liquor sales then let’s give all grocery stores and gas stations the same hours as fucking state liquor stores and see how much consumers like it. And let’s have them spread out so far apart as to make them inconvenient to get to and only able to stock a limited amount of spirits so you have to go online to find out which one in the city even has the brand of liquor you are looking for.
I’m with you 100% Christopher…The following is irrelevant: being an alcoholic (“DRINK LESS! TRY AA!”), living close to a bar (“They advertise in the Stranger! It’s only a TAD more expensive!”), planning ahead. The state shouldn’t have anything to do with liquor sales. Privatization of liquor sales works in other states, it should work in WA. There is nothing wrong with wanting better a better selection, better price, and convenience attached to location, hours and quantity of stores.
Or you could go one night without, or even *gasp* settle for some beer. I know, I know, it’s so difficult when you can’t always get what you want.
Babies.