Salt Lake City Main Street liquor store closing delayed

The popular liquor store located on Main Street in Salt Lake City that was slated to close October 1st has been granted a reprieve, although the future of the store is uncertain. Members of the state legislature will need to come up with $210,000 to operate it next year.

Last year, the store on Main Street had sales of $3.1 million, operating at a profit of $1.2 million. The legislature passed a law forcing the state owned stores to cut costs even though they make money that goes to the school lunch program. Senator Ben McAdams-D, Salt Lake City, made the request to keep the store open, and has a plan to fund the store‘s operation next year. The Liquor Commission has agreed to do so - at least temporarily.

According to Salt Lake City Economic Development Director Robert Farrington, Jr., the liquor store provides an anchor for the community’s retail district, and closing the store and leaving it vacant or boarded up would harm surrounding area businesses.

Opposition has come from Senator John Valentine, R-Orem, who doesn’t think it is a good idea. He said the decision belongs to 104 lawmakers and the governor, and that by keeping the store open, the liquor commission will not stay on the budget created by the legislature.

The legislature ordered the liquor control commission to cut its budget by $653,000. Profits from liquor sales last year were more than $59 million. There must be a better place to cut - one that doesn’t make money for the state. Like UDOT - or, how about the legislature.

Source: Salt Lake Tribune

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