Politics & Government

Lakewood Retailers Line Up for Liquor Licenses

According to the Washington State Liquor Control Board, stores that already sell beer and wine can add a spirits retail liquor license to their current license if they meet minimum size requirements. Approved businesses can begin selling liquor June 1.

As the legal battle over liquor privatization rages on, big-name retail chains are planning for the future by submitting applications to begin selling spirits in their stores.

Washington state voters last November, giving private retailers the authority to sell hard liquor for consumption off-premises. Businesses that apply for the new spirits retail liquor license must have at least 10,000 enclosed square feet of space, among other requirements.

According to the Washington State Liquor Control Board, stores that already sell beer and wine can add a spirits retail liquor license to their current license if they meet the requirements. The annual fee for the new license is $166.

In Lakewood, city leaders opted not to declare a moratorium on what they termed as large, "mega liquor stores" last month.

To date, a number of the city's major retailers have pending applications to sell spirits.

Here is the complete list to date:

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  • , 8726 S. Tacoma Way
  • Albertsons, 8611 Steilacoom Boulevard SW
  • , 5700 100th St. SW, Suite 100
  • , 6111 Lakewood Towne Center
  • , 10223 Gravelly Lake Dr. SW
  • 5618 Lakewood Towne Center Blvd SW
  • , 7001 Bridgeport Way W
  • , 8224 Steilacoom Blvd SW

More stores are expected to apply for the license in the coming months. Retail businesses that obtain licenses will be able to sell hard liquor beginning June 1, pending a possible appeal to the Washington State Supreme Court.


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