Big-Name Redmond 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 Redmond, Bartell Drugs, Target and Cost Plus World Market have recent pending applications for spirits retail licenses, according to the liquor control board's online list. The contract liquor store on Redmond Ridge has also applied for the new license.

Here is the list of recent applications, as of March 20:

• , 7370 170th Ave. NE
• , 8862 161st Ave. NE
• , 7214 170th Ave. NE
• , 17700 NE 76th St.
• Redmond Ridge Spirits, 22310 NE Marketplace Drive

Other Redmond stores submitted for a retail spirits license earlier, including:

• , 3925 236th Ave. NE
• , 17667 NE 76th St.
• , 15800 Redmond Way
• , 23475 NE Novelty Hill Road
• , 8667 161st Ave. NE
• , 17220 Redmond Way
• , 14880 NE 24th St.
• , 17220 Redmond Way
• , 15000 NE 24th St. 

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.