6 Comments to “Distributor information now available”

1. Steve Hill - February 10th, 2012 at 12:53 am

   Does anybody know if we should buy booze now, or wait for the new mystery prices?

2. Julia Clark - February 10th, 2012 at 10:50 am

   Steve,

   We would encourage you to begin having discussions with distributors – starting with your beer and wine distributor. If you work now with a contract liquor store, you might want to check in with the store manager, as we have heard several contract stores will transition their business model to serve their licensee customers.

   We do anticipate there being a bumpy transition, since the time line laid out in the initiative is very quick. We have heard from several distributors that they intend to be up and running by March 1.

   As you know, Washington has the highest spirits cost in the country. This is because we have the highest spirit taxes is the country, at nearly $24/gallon. The initiative did not ask voters to consider the state’s liquor tax structure so it remains in place. For this reason, we can expect prices to be roughly the same – but there will be competition in the market which will adjust prices based on demand.

   With the repeal of the ban on central warehousing, you can stock up on product if you would like, and store it at a location other than your restaurant, as long at the location is licensed. Here is a link to information about the warehouse license: http://www.liq.wa.gov/publications/Transition/1183-Fact%20Sheet-for-Central-Warehousing%20-II-12-22-11.pdf

3. alan dubois - February 14th, 2012 at 9:56 pm

   Do we have to buy in washington or can i buy my spirits from another state?

4. Julia Clark - February 15th, 2012 at 2:25 pm

   You will have to purchase your spirits from a business licensed by the WSLCB. There may be a few businesses that are headquartered in Oregon or Idaho, but they will all be required to follow the requirements in the initiative, and pay Washington state taxes.

5. Terry Hill - February 16th, 2012 at 2:19 pm

   The WRA originally stated this would be good for business, The price
   of spirits would go down.Think about this the tax is going up,
   You will lose you current discount. You will have to purchase in bulk
   and have a additional license for off site storage and maybe you will get a discount.
   I hope everyone who voted for this is happy. It is quite obvious you did not read
   1183.

   Terry Hill

6. Julia Clark - February 16th, 2012 at 4:56 pm

   Terry,
   thank you again for your comments.

   Section 106 leaves all of the spirit taxes unchanged – so the tax on spirits will stay exactly the way the legislature intended. It will neither increase or decrease.

   As a basic economic principle, the WRA supports policies that foster competition in the market – and 1183 does just that. We did not embark on the campaign on a mission to lower prices – in fact, we were asked by our membership to seek a privatized system that will create competition for our business and provide choices for restaurateurs for purchasing spirits.

   You are correct – if you would like to centrally warehouse, you will need to register it with the liquor control board. There is no cost associated with this — I would be happy to hear what your concerns are on this issue, as I have not yet heard any.

Leave a Comment

Name (required)

E-Mail (required) (will not be published)

Site

Website