There shall be a beer and/or wine retailer's license to be designated as a grocery store license to sell beer, strong beer, and/or wine at retail in bottles, cans, and original containers, not to be consumed upon the premises where sold, at any store other than the state liquor stores.

     (1) Licensees obtaining a written endorsement from the board may also sell malt liquor in kegs or other containers capable of holding less than five and one-half gallons of liquid.

     (2) The annual fee for the grocery store license is one hundred fifty dollars for each store.

     (3) The board shall issue a restricted grocery store license authorizing the licensee to sell beer and only table wine, if the board finds upon issuance or renewal of the license that the sale of strong beer or fortified wine would be against the public interest. In determining the public interest, the board shall consider at least the following factors:

     (a) The likelihood that the applicant will sell strong beer or fortified wine to persons who are intoxicated;

     (b) Law enforcement problems in the vicinity of the applicant's establishment that may arise from persons purchasing strong beer or fortified wine at the establishment; and

     (c) Whether the sale of strong beer or fortified wine would be detrimental to or inconsistent with a government-operated or funded alcohol treatment or detoxification program in the area.

     If the board receives no evidence or objection that the sale of strong beer or fortified wine would be against the public interest, it shall issue or renew the license without restriction, as applicable. The burden of establishing that the sale of strong beer or fortified wine by the licensee would be against the public interest is on those persons objecting.

     (4) Licensees holding a grocery store license must maintain a minimum three thousand dollar inventory of food products for human consumption, not including pop, beer, strong beer, or wine.

     (5) Upon approval by the board, the grocery store licensee may also receive an endorsement to permit the international export of beer, strong beer, and wine.

     (a) Any beer, strong beer, or wine sold under this endorsement must have been purchased from a licensed beer or wine distributor licensed to do business within the state of Washington.

     (b) Any beer, strong beer, and wine sold under this endorsement must be intended for consumption outside the state of Washington and the United States and appropriate records must be maintained by the licensee.

     (c) A holder of this special endorsement to the grocery store license shall be considered not in violation of RCW 66.28.010.

     (d) Any beer, strong beer, or wine sold under this license must be sold at a price no less than the acquisition price paid by the holder of the license.

     (e) The annual cost of this endorsement is five hundred dollars and is in addition to the license fees paid by the licensee for a grocery store license.

     (6) A grocery store licensee holding a snack bar license under RCW 66.24.350 may receive an endorsement to allow the sale of confections containing more than one percent but not more than ten percent alcohol by weight to persons twenty-one years of age or older.

[2007 c 226 § 2; 2003 c 167 § 8; 1997 c 321 § 22; 1993 c 21 § 1; 1991 c 42 § 4; 1987 c 46 § 1; 1981 1st ex.s. c 5 § 41; 1967 ex.s. c 75 § 6; 1937 c 217 § 1 (23Q) (adding new section 23-Q to 1933 ex.s. c 62); RRS § 7306-23Q.]

NOTES:

     Application to certain retailers -- 2003 c 167 §§ 8 and 9: "Sections 8 and 9 of this act apply to retailers who hold a restricted grocery store license or restricted beer and/or wine specialty shop license on or after July 1, 2003." [2003 c 167 § 12.]

     Effective date -- 2003 c 167: See note following RCW 66.24.244.

     Report to legislature -- 2003 c 167: See note following RCW 66.24.250.

     Effective date -- 1997 c 321: See note following RCW 66.24.010.

     Severability -- Effective date -- 1981 1st ex.s. c 5: See RCW 66.98.090 and 66.98.100.

     Effective date -- 1967 ex.s. c 75: See note following RCW 66.08.180.

Employees under eighteen allowed to handle beer or wine: RCW 66.44.340.