Big-Name Sammamish and Issaquah Retailers Line Up for Liquor Licenses

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.

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:

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.