Washington voters probably didn’t intend it, but they gave at least a temporary economic boost to Idaho liquor stores when taking their state out of the booze business last year. In June, the first month that Initiative 1183 closed Washington’s state-owned liquor stores and raised the overall price of distilled spirits in the private outlets that took their place, Idaho state liquor stores just across the border saw more Evergreen State license plates in their parking lots and a jump in business. The two Post Falls liquor stores saw a 58 percent sales increase in June compared with June 2011, said Jeff Anderson, director of the Idaho State Liquor Division. The eight liquor stores just across the border, from Lewiston to Oldtown, are up 33 percent overall, a total of $560,000/Jim Camden, SR. More here. (Kathy Plonka SR photo: “You never know what kind of a markup you’re going to get in the grocery store,” said Joan Carrier, of Otis Orchards, after making a purchase at the Idaho state liquor store in Post Falls on Thursday)

Question: Where do you buy your booze?