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Liquor

Should states be in the liquor business?

Last updated Sunday, May 13, 2012 - 8:45am

WASHINGTON -- For about a year, Pennsylvania wine-lovers didn't have to go to a state-run Fine Wine & Good Spirits store to pick up a bottle of their favorite cabernet or sauvignon blanc.

They could swing by the grocery store, like Americans in most states, with one major caveat: They had to purchase the wine from a state vending machine.

Business, Liquor, Liquor laws Read more Comments

Judge to hear arguments over suit on Utah liquor laws

Contributed The Associated Press

Last updated Monday, March 26, 2012 - 9:21pm

SALT LAKE CITY -- A federal judge is set to hear oral arguments Monday on a lawsuit challenging changes to Utah liquor laws that ban daily drink specials and impose new limits on coveted liquor licenses.

Business, Federal Court, Hospitality, Lawsuit, Liquor, Liquor laws, Liquor licenses, Liquor stores, Tourism, Utah, Utah Hospitality Association, Utah Legislature, Alcohol, LDS Church Read more Comments

Changes unveiled for Utah liquor agency oversight

Josh Loftin The Associated Press

Last updated Wednesday, February 22, 2012 - 4:56pm

SALT LAKE CITY -- Utah's liquor commission will increase by two members and profits from booze sales will go directly into state coffers under changes unveiled Wednesday by lawmakers.

Business, Liquor, Liquor laws, Rep. Ryan Wilcox, Utah, Utah Legislature, Utah Liquor Control Board Read more Comments

(The Associated Press) In this June 2011 photo, Chris Taketa looks for liquor stored in a walk-in freezer in the back of the Dojo sushi restaurant in Salt Lake City.

AG says Utah's happy hour ban is just

Paul Foy The Associated Press

Last updated Friday, January 13, 2012 - 11:54pm

SALT LAKE CITY -- Utah has authority to prevent beer taverns and liquor clubs from offering happy hour discounts, state attorneys said in a court filing defending peculiar regulations governing liquor in a state dominated by teetotaling Mormons.

A trade group for bars and restaurants filed the federal antitrust lawsuit in June, arguing that the happy hour ban amounted to price fixing by state authorities.

The Utah Hospitality Association amended its lawsuit in October to seek a court order that would prohibit Utah legislators from taking influence from the LDS Church when writing liquor laws.

Business, Liquor, Liquor laws, Restaurants, Utah, Featured Read more Comments

Selection of Utah's liquor chief in doubt

Contributed The Associated Press

Last updated Thursday, December 29, 2011 - 2:53pm

SALT LAKE CITY -- Utah's liquor control board says it's having a hard time selecting an executive director to replace a former chief who resigned amid conflict-of-interest allegations.

Business, Conflict of interest, Liquor, State government, Utah, Utah Liquor Control Board Read more Comments

Farmington council OKs beer license for Station Park eatery

Antone Clark Standard-Examiner

Last updated Friday, December 23, 2011 - 1:06am

FARMINGTON — City officials have approved the application for a class B beer license for a business that will be part of the city’s newest development.

The council unanimously voted Tuesday to approve a beer license application for Parkstone Wood Kitchen & Bar, which will allow the business to serve alcohol in its soon-to-be-opened restaurant in Station Park.

Business, City Government, Liquor, Liquor licenses, Restaurant, Station Park, Utah Read more Comments

Washington grocery stores line up to sell hard liquor after law changes

Elaine Williams Lewiston Tribune

Last updated Tuesday, November 22, 2011 - 1:03pm

Albertsons, Safeway and Rosauers are preparing to be among the first businesses to line up behind Costco to sell hard alcohol in Washington, following the passage of a state initiative that privatizes liquor sales.

Business, Grocery Stores, Liquor, Liquor laws Read more Comments

(ELAINE THOMPSON/The Associated Press) Store manager Dean Doces stocks shelves in a state liquor store Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011, in Seattle. Liquor privatization advocates are poised to expand their campaigns in the wake of this week’s landslide victory in Washington state, turning their attention to other states that still maintain strong government controls. Joe Gilliam, president of the Northwest Grocery Association, said Wednesday he expects industry leaders to begin talks in the coming months with liquor regulators and lawmakers in both Oregon and Idaho.

Lawmakers considering changes to liquor business

Josh Loftin The Associated Press

Last updated Wednesday, November 16, 2011 - 8:57am

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah lawmakers are set to discuss changes to the state-run liquor business that could include the sale of wine and liquor at grocery stores.

Legislature, Liquor, Utah, Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Read more Comments

Herbert awaits audit of liquor agency

Josh Loftin The Associated Press

Last updated Thursday, August 25, 2011 - 1:33pm

SALT LAKE CITY -- A broader management shake-up at Utah's liquor agency will likely happen after an operational audit is completed, Gov. Gary Herbert said Thursday.

Gov. Gary Herbert, Liquor, State government, Utah Read more Comments

Utah liquor agency director resigns amid controversy

Josh Loftin The Associated Press

Last updated Wednesday, August 17, 2011 - 5:07pm

The resignation of Dennis Kellen was asked for and received Wednesday morning by Gov. Gary Herbert, who was alerted to possible procurement law violations in the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.

Liquor, Resignation, State government, Utah Read more Comments

Nondrinker to chair Utah liquor commission

The Associated Press The Associated Press

Last updated Thursday, July 28, 2011 - 2:41pm

SALT LAKE CITY -- An anesthesiologist who abstains from alcohol is the new chairman of the five-member Utah liquor commission.

Gov. Gary Herbert is appointing Dr. Richard Sperry to lead the the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission.

Business, Liquor, State government, Utah Read more Comments

Eden liquor store runs up $300,000 tab; audit hammers DABC

Loretta Park Standard-Examiner Davis Bureau

Last updated Tuesday, May 17, 2011 - 11:04pm

SALT LAKE CITY -- The Utah Attorney General's Office is beginning an investigation into what happened to almost $300,000 missing from a private liquor-packaging agency that was located in Eden.

A legislative audit, released Tuesday and reviewed by the Legislative Audit Committee, looked at the action taken by the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control regarding the packaging agency operated by Bill Lyman from June 24, 2009, until it closed in July 2010.

"I hold you responsible for this debacle," said Senate President Michael Waddoups, R-Taylorsville. "Is there any reason why I should not?"

Liquor, News, Utah, Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage, Alcohol Read more Comments

Gov. Herbert wants liquor stores to stay open

The Associated Press

Last updated Thursday, April 28, 2011 - 2:53pm

SALT LAKE CITY -- Utah Gov. Gary Herbert wants profitable state liquor stores to remain open permanently.

Herbert says Thursday legislators should find a way to halt the closure of nine liquor stores that could be shut down early next year.

Business, Gov. Gary Herbert, Liquor, State government, Utah Read more Comments

Ogden lawmaker to introduce bill, saying state-run liquor stores 'anti-capitalist and anti-free market'

Loretta Park Standard-Examiner Davis Bureau

Last updated Saturday, April 9, 2011 - 12:04am

OGDEN -- An Ogden lawmaker is planning legislation that would privatize the retail sale of liquor in Utah.

Business, Liquor, Utah, Alcohol Read more Comments

Legislative leaders closer to passing budget

The Associated Press

Last updated Thursday, March 3, 2011 - 10:23pm

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah legislative leaders are close to approving a final state budget that includes cuts to the Department of Corrections and closes some liquor stores.

Budget, Department of Corrections, Liquor, Prison, Utah, Utah Legislature, Utah State Prison, Alcohol Read more Comments