Bellevue will get a new liquor superstore Thursday when Total Wine and More opens its first store in the state.
The new store will be at 699 120th Ave. NE, Bellevue, next to , in what used to be Joe's sporting goods store and before that, Larry's Market. Opening day is June 28.
This store marks the 81st location for the premier wine, beer and spirits retailer, which is based in Delaware, according to a company press release. The company plans to open two additional stores in Tukwila and Spokane.
The Bellevue Total Wine and More store will be 30,000 sq. ft. and will feature more than 8,000 wines, 3,000 spirits and 2,500 beers. The store will also feature a large selection of Washington wines (1,450), distilled spirits (55) and beers (540).
The store will also feature a special section for craft beers, including a beer tasting bar will offer a special growler section with 12 taps that highlight Washington-brewed craft beers.
According to the store's press release, these are the features you'll find in Bellevue:
Total Wine & More’s Bellevue store will feature a climate-controlled wine cellar for rare selections, a walk-in humidor for fine cigars and gifts, as well as a space for regular tastings, consumer education courses, community meetings and special events. As with all Total Wine & More superstores, the Bellevue location will feature an upscale environment with excellent service from the company’s expertly trained staff.
“With the changes that took place on June 1st, we know that Washington consumers are conscious of the higher prices they are paying for their favorite brands,” said David Trone, who co-owns Total Wine & More with his brother Robert. “Total Wine & More will not only offer the best selection of wine, spirits and beer in greater Seattle, we will be the price leader compared to any other retailer in the area.”
Total Wine & More will be celebrating its opening with a little cheer. The store will offer beer and wine tastings, activities, live entertainment and more. Grand opening events begin on Thursday, June 28, and run through Sunday, July 1.
Total Wine is among the companies moving to Washington after . Some people were surprised by (the state liquor stores had included the total price, including taxes, on their shelves), and others were bothered by what appeared to be rising prices of liquor and a lack of selection, accordng to this story by Reuters (via The Huffington Post).
Voters dissolved the state-run liquor stores with the passage of Initiative 1183, last November. Critics of the initiative pointed out that the law , which means that some small locally owned wine shops could not sign on. However, the initiative also allowed for .
