Washington state liquor sales headed for privatization

[Bud Light]

It was 'bout freakin' time. They don't have to worry about losing revenue considering that Lawrence is next door.

-------------

SEATTLE (Reuters) - A ballot initiative strongly backed by Costco to close state-run liquor stores in Washington state and allow sales of hard spirits in supermarkets and big-box retail outlets took a wide lead in early returns on Tuesday.

With all 39 Washington counties reporting, the measure known as Initiative 1183 appeared headed for victory with 60 percent voting "yes" and 40 percent voting "no" among the ballots tabulated so far, as opponents conceded defeat.

More at

[whiskytime]

That is good news - now on to the other states with controlled stores!

Some dry KY counties have been going "wet" in the past year too. Prohibition is slooooooow to be gone.

[Willie JJ]

Maybe the snowball has started rolling. It can only be good.

[Malt-Teaser]

Next to change the law from 75cl to 70cl bottles and you might get a much better selection too

OK, so they probably aren't ready for that one ............... .... yet

[Mr Tattie Heid]

Why don't you change to 75cl? Then you won't have to do different bottles for your biggest market, plus you'll get an extra dram or so in every bottle...which no doubt would be the impetus for another big price rise. Oh, never mind.

The laws on bottle size are meant to protect the consumer, of course. I note that in Ontario, the 70cl bottles are permitted, which allows a little more freedom of choice, which is good; but it's slightly annoying to purchase a bottle there and then realize it's the smaller one.

[ColSanders]

Next to change the law from 75cl to 70cl bottles and you might get a much better selection too

OK, so they probably aren't ready for that one ............... .... yet

It's taken almost 90s years just to try to get most states "wet"... hell down here they still won't sell liquor on "the lord's day"

Maybe by the 22nd Century we'll get one bottle size... or...

Everyone could go to 50cL/1L

[Bud Light]

Pennsylvania's law is up for vote, what, next month?

[Bud Light]

I see that trends are changing in Georgia too.

...The Georgia Christian Coalition opposed ending the ban on Sunday sales, arguing it would increase drunken driving and family disruption, said coalition president Jerry Luquire.

"Sunday is a unique day," he said. "We didn't want Sunday to become just like Saturday."

The coalition's campaign against Sunday sales was "gloriously defeated," Luquire conceded.

Many voters viewed the issue as one of individual rights versus a government mandate, he said. They objected to being told by the government when they could or could not buy alcohol.

"It's hard to fight that," said Luquire...

[whiskytime]

I see that trends are changing in Georgia too.

...The Georgia Christian Coalition opposed ending the ban on Sunday sales, arguing it would increase drunken driving and family disruption, said coalition president Jerry Luquire.

"Sunday is a unique day," he said. "We didn't want Sunday to become just like Saturday."

The coalition's campaign against Sunday sales was "gloriously defeated," Luquire conceded.

Many voters viewed the issue as one of individual rights versus a government mandate, he said. They objected to being told by the government when they could or could not buy alcohol.

"It's hard to fight that," said Luquire...

I always thought that SU no liquor thing was soooo stupid. When I was a kid, after mass, half the congregation (including our priest) would go to the local bar & have a beer before heading home for SU lunch. People were not getting trashed, they were socializing. It is one of my fondest childhood memories - sitting next to my dad, having an orange soda at the bar. It created community & friendship.

[Mr Tattie Heid]

I'm not sure when Massachusetts started allowing Sunday sales, but I've been conditioned to not having it available, so rarely think to buy on Sundays. The Blue Laws were pretty strict when I was a kid--not much open at all, and short hours for what was. The 7-11 was so named because those were famously long hours; now we have convenience stores and pharmacies open 24/7. It's a good thing, of course, when you have an emergency and need something in the middle of the night; and the religious basis for Sunday closing was never anything I was sympathetic toward. I guess I wouldn't go back, but I admit I miss the quiet time, a day of the week and a time of night when the general hustle and bustle stopped. There was value in that, and in knowing that everyone else was experiencing the same--communal ritual, I guess.

[Yello to Mello]

It was 'bout freakin' time. They don't have to worry about losing revenue considering that Lawrence is next door.

I note that in Ontario, the 70cl bottles are permitted, which allows a little more freedom of choice, which is good; but it's slightly annoying to purchase a bottle there and then realize it's the smaller one.

Thats one of the few things I like about the monopoly. When it comes to their purchasing, they don't care and will buy any size. Generally most of the OB scotches are 75cl

[Lawrence]

It was 'bout freakin' time. They don't have to worry about losing revenue considering that Lawrence is next door.

Very droll indeed....

[Malt-Teaser]

I'm not sure when Massachusetts started allowing Sunday sales, but I've been conditioned to not having it available, so rarely think to buy on Sundays. The Blue Laws were pretty strict when I was a kid--not much open at all, and short hours for what was. The 7-11 was so named because those were famously long hours; now we have convenience stores and pharmacies open 24/7. It's a good thing, of course, when you have an emergency and need something in the middle of the night; and the religious basis for Sunday closing was never anything I was sympathetic toward. I guess I wouldn't go back, but I admit I miss the quiet time, a day of the week and a time of night when the general hustle and bustle stopped. There was value in that, and in knowing that everyone else was experiencing the same--communal ritual, I guess.

Welcome to Germany 2011.
OK, so bars and restaurants are open, but no (ordinary) shops, nothing. It was only in the last couple of years when they decided car washes ddidn't really need to go to church on Sundays and allowed them to open.

As for things like gardening - no chance.
Doing your washing? Not if you live in an apartment where the washing machine could be heard by neighbours.

But in general, I agree, one 'quiet' day per week is not at all bad.
Malty

[Jazz Lover]

Amen.

[Bud Light]

Amen to what?

[two-bit cowboy]

It can only be good.

Maybe.

It could be one of those, "be careful what you wish for" sorts of things.

I know a retailer in Kansas (not a control state) who would love to handle Bunnahabhain and BenRiach. None of the vendors in the state will carry them so he's out of luck.

[andyt]

Why don't you change to 75cl? Then you won't have to do different bottles for your biggest market, plus you'll get an extra dram or so in every bottle...

5cl drams, aye you've been spoiled.

[lawschooldrunk]

I, for one, am happy that Pennsylvania is controlled because I can get laphroaig 18yo for $55 when on sale.