Spirits will go on sale today at North Olympic Peninsula grocery outlets as voter-approved Initiative 1183 takes effect.
“They’ll be available,” confirmed Jim Nimz, manager of the Sequim Costco at 955 W. Washington St.
The initiative, backed by warehouse giant Costco WholesaleCorp., was touted by supporters as a free-market reform for an industry monopolized by the state since the end of Prohibition.
It allows stores larger than 10,000 square feet and some smaller specialty shops to sell liquor.
Opponents filed suit, arguing that the measure violates state rules requiring initiatives to address only one subject because it included a provision to set aside $10 million for public safety.
In a 5-4 decision, the state Supreme Court on Thursday ruled against the challenge, saying the disputed “portion of I-1183’s ballot title is not palpably misleading or false.”
Safeway, with two stores in Port Angeles and one in Port Townsend and Sequim, published an advertisement this week showing introductory prices for Jameson whiskey ($23.99 for a 750-milliliter bottle), Grey Goose vodka ($22.99), Jose Cuervo tequila ($13.29) and Smirnoff vodka ($10.19).
A Rite Aid ad lists 750-ml prices for Jack Daniel’s whiskey ($17.99), Pinnacle vodka ($11.99) and Bacardi rum ($9.99).
Advertised prices were generally lower than those listed by the state Liquor Control Board.
Managers and staff at Safeway, Walmart, Albertsons, QFC and Rite Aid stores in Clallam and Jefferson counties confirmed the opening of liquor sales at their stores.
Further inquiries were directed to corporate offices.
In addition to the grocery outlets, liquor will be available at the former state liquor stores in Port Angeles, Port Townsend and Sequim under private ownership.
The state already auctioned off the rights to sell liquor at those stores.
The Port Angeles liquor store at 1331 E. Front St. had been closed since May 22 because of statewide staffing issues prompted by the changes brought on by the initiative, which voters approved with a 59-percent yes vote in November.
Four smaller, former state-contract stores in Quilcene, Brinnon, Port Hadlock and Clallam Bay will operate as private businesses beginning today.
Forks liquor store — the Peninsula’s fifth former state contract store — has closed.
However, liquor is available beginning today at Forks Outfitters, which includes a Thriftway store at 950 South Forks Ave.
“They just assembled a new section, and it will be opening tomorrow,” said Shyliah Justus, who works at the Ace Hardware department at Forks Outfitters.
Under the measure, restaurants and bars were allowed to begin buying liquor directly from distributors March 1, and they can begin buying directly from retail stores today.
However, the measure also imposed an additional 10 percent distributor fee and a 17 percent retail fee on spirits to reimburse state and local governments for millions of dollars in lost revenue.
Some retailers say that likely means higher prices for consumers, regardless of where they buy their spirits.
________
Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5072, or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
