QFC Moves to Block Private Liquor Store from Klahanie Shopping Center

The Washington State Liquor Control Board has announced phased-in closing dates for its stores, including those in Sammamish and Issaquah, forced out of business by voter approval last November of Initiative 1183.

Meantime, the Seattle Times reports that the QFC chain is using an exclusivity clause in its real estate contracts to prevent others from selling liquor in some former state liquor store locations in the same shopping centers as its grocery stores, including one that hasn't even opened yet at the Klahanie Shopping Center.

QFC refused to comment on the Times story. But the newspaper quotes an unhappy Kirkland surgeon who won rights to sell liquor at three former state store locations, including at Issaquah's Klahanie Shopping Center, which was added late to the auction at the landlord's request; the state had not yet opened a store there, according to the Times story.

"Big-box stores funded the initiative for privatization and a free market, but they want to monopolize the situation," said Jeffrey Roh, an orthopedic surgeon. "They don't even want to let small businesses compete against them in this free market."

Roh is being blocked from opening a store selling spirits in Issaquah. Another local businessman was blocked from opening a liquor store at the former state store near QFC in Totem Lake, the Times reported. 

Winners of the auction are allowed to find an alternate location within one mile if they can't negotiate a lease at the current location, but Roh says there are no other commercial spaces available near the shopping center.

Closing May 29 are the state liquor stores in Issaquah, at 1175 NW GILMAN BLVD #B18, and in Sammamish, at 510 228TH AVE NE  STE D4.

Private liquor sales in Washington will become legal on June 1, and area stores are busily rearranging their current wine sections to make way for new products.

Some are specializing. For example, an employee at Matthews Thriftway on Lakemont Blvd. in Bellevue said that store plans to stock 100 higher end liqour products.

For the full Times story, click here.