Private liquor sales scheduled to start tomorrow pending court case

Private liquor sales could begin as early as tomorrow in Grays Harbor and statewide, and despite the fact state liquor stores have all been sold, the Washington Supreme Court plans to rule today on the constitutionality of a voter-approved initiative. This week, the Ocean Shores liquor store sold for $275 thousand. That was $70 thousand more than it had sold during the first auction. The winning bidder in the first auction failed to pay and the store was put back up for sale.

Initiative 1183 allows stores larger than 10,000 square feet and some smaller stores to begin selling liquor on Friday.

However, initiative opponents have filed suit, arguing that the measure violates state rules requiring initiatives to address only one subject. The measure included a provision for public safety funding.

A judge rejected that claim, but opponents appealed to the Supreme Court. The entire measure would be nullified if the court determines voters would have rejected the initiative without the public safety provision.