2 Everett liquor outlets to close this week

EVERETT -- Two state liquor stores here are among 14 statewide that will close Thursday because of dwindling staffing during a transition to privatization, which commences June 1.

The Washington State Liquor Control Board announced the closures Tuesday. The Everett locations to close are at 3332 Cedar St., a distribution center that serves licensees such as bars, and 1203N SE Everett Mall Way, a retail outlet.

Although both stores were among those whose rights were auctioned off to private bidders this week, the auction and the closures are unrelated, the state said. Presumably, the winning bidders for those and the other locations will reopen the stores as private liquor outlets, assuming leases can be arranged.

"These stores were strategically chosen to minimize any disruption to our service areas," state liquor retail director Chris Liu said in a written statement. "We knew as we got closer to the transition deadline we would have to address employee shortages."

Closing the 14 locations, the state said, will enable some 60 workers to be reassigned to other stores.

Besides Everett, certain state liquor stores in Seattle, Tacoma, Bellevue, Vancouver, Federal Way, Bothell, Mercer Island, Lacey and Longview will close. Additionally, stores in Friday Harbor, Belfair and Ocean Shores will reduce hours of operation.

Patrons of the closing stores can find alternative locations on the Web at www.liq.wa.gov/stores/find-store.