OLYMPIA, WASH. – The Washington State Liquor Control Board (WSLCB) will shut-down 14 state liquor stores statewide to compensate for store employees leaving for new jobs. The WSLCB analyzed market-areas where closings would occur, and identified only stores where there would be minimal disruption. The WSLCB has been filling store vacancies with temporary workers since December 2011.
The closure of the 14 stores is not related to the state liquor store auction.
“These stores were strategically chosen to minimize any disruption to our service areas,” said Retail Director Chris Liu. “We knew as we got closer to the transition deadline we would have to address employee shortages.”
In making the decision to close these specific locations, staff considered the proximity of other stores, as well as those other store’s capability to meet the increased customer base. The stores affected are not among the highest or lowest volume locations. Their sales fall in the middle.
“The decision came down to how best to re-appropriate staff while at the same time maintaining uninterrupted service to all areas,” said Liu. “We we feel this action best meets that goal.”
Closing the 14 locations will free up approximately 60 experienced employees to fill-in the gaps at other stores.
The complete list of store closures is as follows:
| Store #2 SEATTLE - 2ND & SENECA, 1201 2ND AVE |
| Store #15 FEDERAL WAY- SOUTH, 34512 16TH AVE S STE A |
| Store #61 BOTHELL, 19111 BOTHELL WAY NE |
| Store #72 MERCER ISLAND, 2459 76TH AVE SE |
| Store #83 SEATTLE - MAGNOLIA, 3310 W MCGRAW ST |
| Store #84 TACOMA - PORTLAND AVENUE, 1415 E 72ND ST STE B |
| Store #107 SEATTLE - BLVD.PARK, 1847 S 120TH ST |
| Store #115 BELLEVUE - EASTGATE, 15100 SE 38TH ST |
| Store #125 EVERETT - CEDAR ST, 3332 CEDAR ST |
| Store #127 EVERETT- EVERETT MALL, 1203N SE EVERETT MALL WY |
| Store #148 LONGVIEW - WEST, 3210 OCEAN BEACH HWY |
| Store #188 VANCOUVER - BURTON RD, 2612 NE 114TH AVE BLDG M |
| Store #190 LACEY- HAWKS PRAIRIE, 8205-C MARTIN WAY E |
| Store #191 SEATTLE, 14343 15TH AVE NE |
Three stores will operate at reduced hours:
| Store #151 OCEAN SHORES, 171E CHANCE ALAMER NE #C (see * below) |
| Store #162 BELFAIR, 23961 NE SR 3 #B (see * below) |
| Store #169 FRIDAY HARBOR, 365 SPRING ST (see ** below) |
Licensees serviced by the closing locations have been notified and will have their orders filled by nearby locations.
For a complete listing of state-owned liquor stores and their locations, please visit:
*Monday – Thursday 10 a.m.-7p.m., Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
**Monday – Saturday 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
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