State to put Kent liquor store up for bid for third time

A former state liquor store in Kent will go back up for auction for the third time.

The state will spread out the closing of liquor stores in Kent and the rest of the state from May 28-31 before private sales start June 1.

The state will spread out the closing of liquor stores in Kent and the rest of the state from May 28-31 before private sales start June 1.

A former state liquor store in Kent will go back up for auction for the third time.

The Washington State Liquor Board announced Wednesday that it will host a live auction June 28 for the rights associated with six former state liquor stores, including the Kent-Midway store at 23219 Pacific Hwy. S., on the West Hill.

Following the first live auction May 24, top-bidders representing six state liquor stores did not pay their winning bid, sacrificing their deposit of $10,000, according to a state Liquor Board media release.

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Bidders representing 161 state liquor stores, including three in Kent, have already paid a total of $29.8 million in bid fees to the state.

“This has been a highly successful auction process,” said Pat McLaughlin, state Liquor Board business enterprise director. “We have already collected nearly $29.8 million in bids plus about one million more in fees.”

Bids in the online auction that ended April 20, and live auction on May 24 have exceeded $31 million. The state held the live auction after bidders for 18 stores from the online auction didn’t pay their bids.

The auction is Thursday June 28 at the state Liquor Board Distribution Center, 4401 E. Marginal Way in Seattle. Registration starts at 9 a.m. with the auction at 10 a.m. The bid deposit is $25,000.

Successful bidders will win the exclusive right to apply for a liquor license at the current location within its current footprint. All state liquor stores are below the 10,000 square foot threshold for liquor sales established by Initiative 1183.

State stores to be auctioned June 28 with store number, city and address:

042: Seattle, 400 Broadway E.

082: Kent, 23219 Pacific Hwy S.

085: Bellevue, 15600 NE 8th St #K-07

140: Bellingham, 1255 Barkley Blvd #107

151: Ocean Shores, 171E Chance Alamer NE #C

159: Kennewick, 731 N Columbia Ctr Blvd.

Additional details on the live public auction and comprehensive data on each of the six stores being auctioned is available on the WSLCB website at www.liq.wa.gov.


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