Politics & Government
Big-Name Sammamish and Issaquah Retailers Line Up for Liquor Licenses
Costco, Fred Meyer, QFC, Bartell Drugs and Target are among the stores that have applications pending to begin selling spirits.
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.
Find out what's happening in Sammamish-Issaquahwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
In Sammamish and Issaquah,big box stores such as Warehouse giant Costco, , and Fred Meyer are on the list. Others include Bartell Drugs, Target, Walgreen's have pending applications for spirits retail licenses, according to the liquor control board's online list.
Here is the complete list, as of March 19:
Find out what's happening in Sammamish-Issaquahwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
5700 E Lake Sammamish Pkwy SE
Issaquah
1801 10th Ave NW
Issaquah
Fred Meyer
6100 E Lake Sammamish Pkwy SE
Issaquah
80 Front St S
Issaquah
1540 Gilman Blvd
Issaquah
4570 Klahanie Dr NE
Issaquah
1165 NW Gilman Blvd
Issaquah
Safeway Store
735-B Gilman Blvd
Issaquah
Target Store T-
755 NW Gilman Blvd Ste T
Issaquah
Walgreens
6300 E Lake Sammamish Pkwy Se
Issaquah
526 228th Ave NE
Sammamish
2902 228th Ave SE
Sammamish
3066 Issaquah-Pine Lake Rd SE
Sammamish
630 228th Ave NE
Sammamish
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.
The state also is currently to operate its state-run liquor stores, which otherwise will close at the end of March.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.