UPDATE: Woodinville State Liquor Store Closes May 26

Update: 1 p.m., a sign on the Woodinville store says it will close May 26.

The Washington State Liquor Control Board  announced the closure schedule for most remaining state liquor stores in advance of June 1, 2012, the first day of private liquor sales. Woodinville's store will close on Saturday, May 26.

To maintain coverage as long as possible the WSLCB is using a  phased closure method, spreading out store shutdowns over four days. 

“There is a lot of work involved in transferring these stores to private ownership,” said Director of Retail Services Chris Liu. “This method will ensure that our customers have the ability to buy liquor right up until June 1, when private retailers take over.”

Washington state voters  last November, giving private retailers the authority to sell hard liquor for consumption off-premises. Businesses that apply for the new spirits retail liquor license must have at least 10,000 enclosed square feet of space, among other requirements. 

On Aprl 20, the  at 167 state-run liquor stores statewide ended and Avijeet Ghose of Bellevue won the right to sell liquor in Woodinville with a bid of $250,100. Woodinville Patch was unable to reach Ghose to inquire as to when a store will be opened.

In Woodinville, Walgreens, Target, Top Food and Cost Plus World Market have pending applications for spirits retail licenses, according to the liquor control board's online list. 

Here is the complete list: