Washington state voters: Quit the liquor biz

The state of Washington is restocking the shelves in its liquor stores even as it has to quickly get out of the business.

That situation came about on election day this week when a ballot initiative to force the change passed with an unofficial 60% of the vote.

Thus, sometime after the first of next year, the state liquor stores, which are currently increasing inventory for holiday sales, will start to draw down their inventory and contract stores operated by individuals under agreements with the state will look for new suppliers or go out of business to meet the June deadline.

Owners of the state’s 163 contract liquor stores, most of whom signed five-year contracts with the state earlier this year, will be eligible to apply for retail licenses for their location.

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