Liquor stores to hit malls on West Side for holidays

OLYMPIA – State liquor stores are going to the mall for the holidays.

The Liquor Control Board plans to open temporary stores from Nov. 1 through Dec. 31 at the Alderwood Mall in Lynnwood, Bellis Fair Mall in Bellingham, the Commons at Federal Way, and Pacific Place in Seattle.

Spokesman Brian Smith said mall stores have been planned for years. The last session of the Legislature went along with the idea because the stores are expected to bring in $3.8 million over the next two holiday seasons.

Smith said the stores will carry mainly gift-packaged liquors. He said no brands will be advertised in windows, and the stores will not be located next to places where children congregate such as food courts or Santa locations.