UPDATE: Shoreline Businesses Applying for Liquor Licenses

As the legal battle over liquor privatization rages on, big-name retail chains are planning for the future by submitting applications to begin selling spirits in their stores as state-run liquor stores liquidate their inventory.

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. 

According to the Washington State Liquor Control Board, stores that already sell beer and wine can add a spirits retail liquor license to their current license if they meet the requirements. The annual fee for the new license is $166.

In Shoreline, Bartell Drugs, Walgreens, Walgreens, Top Food & Drug, Ballinger Village Thriftway and Five O'Clock Somewhere have pending applications for spirits retail licenses, according to the liquor control board's online list. No businesses in Lake Forest Park have applied, yet.

Here is the complete list for Shoreline of stores that have applied in the last 30 days:

• , 18420 Aurora Ave. N.
• , 17518 15th Ave. N.E.
• , 17524 Aurora Ave N.
• , 14510 Aurora Ave. N.
• , 1201 N. 175th St.
• , 20150 Ballinger Way N.E.
• Five O'Clock Somewhere, 1501 N. 200th St. 

The following stores in Shoreline and Lake Forest Park applied prior to the last 30 days:

•, 1175 N. 205th St.

• , 18325 Aurora Ave. N.

• , 600 N.W. Richmond Beach Road

• , 15332 Aurora Ave. N.

• , 17202 15th Ave. N.E.

•Rite Aid, 20320 Ballinger Way N.E.

• Rite Aid, 655 N.W. Richmond Beach Road

• , 17171 Bothell Way N.E., Lake Forest Park 

• Rite Aid, 17171 Bothell Way N.E. Lake Forest Park

More stores are expected to apply for the license in the coming months. Retail businesses that obtain licenses will be able to sell hard liquor beginning June 1, pending a possible appeal to the Washington State Supreme Court.