Washington § 66.24.360 - Grocery store license — Fees — Restricted license — Determination of public interest — Inventory — Endorsements.

(1) There is a grocery store license to sell wine and/or beer, including without limitation strong beer at retail in original containers, not to be consumed upon the premises where sold.

(2) There is a wine retailer reseller endorsement of a grocery store license, to sell wine at retail in original containers to retailers licensed to sell wine for consumption on the premises, for resale at their licensed premises according to the terms of the license. For the purposes of this title, a grocery store license is a retail license, and a sale by a grocery store licensee with a reseller endorsement is a retail sale only if not for resale.

(3) Licensees obtaining a written endorsement from the board may also sell malt liquor in kegs or other containers capable of holding less than 5.5 gallons of liquid.

(4) The annual fee for the grocery store license is $550 for each store.

(5) The annual fee for the wine retailer reseller endorsement is $249 for each store.

(6)(a) Upon approval by the board, a grocery store licensee with revenues derived from beer and/or wine sales exceeding 50 percent of total revenues or that maintains an alcohol inventory of not less than $15,000 may also receive an endorsement to permit the sale of beer and cider, as defined in RCW 66.24.210(6), in a sanitary container brought to the premises by the purchaser, or provided by the licensee or manufacturer, and filled at the tap by the licensee at the time of sale by an employee of the licensee holding a class 12 alcohol server permit.

(b) Pursuant to RCW 74.08.580(1)(f), a person may not use an electronic benefit transfer card for the purchase of any product authorized for sale under this section.

(c) The board may, by rule, establish fees to be paid by licensees receiving the endorsement authorized under this subsection (6), as necessary to cover the costs of implementing and enforcing the provisions of this subsection (6).

(7) The board must 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 must 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 must 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.

(8) Licensees holding a grocery store license must maintain a minimum $3,000 inventory of food products for human consumption, not including pop, beer, strong beer, or wine.

(9) A grocery store licensee with a wine retailer reseller endorsement may accept delivery of wine at its licensed premises or at one or more warehouse facilities registered with the board, which facilities may also warehouse and distribute nonliquor items, and from which it may deliver to its own licensed premises and, pursuant to sales permitted by this title, to other licensed premises, to other registered facilities, or to lawful purchasers outside the state. Facilities may be registered and utilized by associations, cooperatives, or comparable groups of grocery store licensees.

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

(d) The annual cost of this endorsement is $750 and is in addition to the license fees paid by the licensee for a grocery store license.

(11) 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 10 percent alcohol by weight to persons 21 years of age or older.

(12) The board may adopt rules to implement this section.

(13) Nothing in this section limits the authority of the board to regulate the sale of beer or cider or container sizes under rules adopted pursuant to RCW 66.08.030.

(14) Any endorsement issued pursuant to this section or RCW 66.24.363 may be issued to a qualified combination spirits, beer, and wine licensee in accordance with RCW 66.24.035(10).

(15)(a) A grocery store licensee that also holds a spirits retail license under RCW 66.24.630 may, upon board approval and pursuant to board rules, transition to a combination spirits, beer, and wine license pursuant to RCW 66.24.035.

(b) An applicant that would qualify for a grocery store license under this section and a spirits retail license under RCW 66.24.630 may apply for a single license pursuant to RCW 66.24.035 instead of applying for a grocery store license under this section in addition to a spirits retail license under RCW 66.24.630.

Reviser's note: This section was amended by 2025 c 95 s 3 and by 2025 c 343 s 27, each without reference to the other. Both amendments are incorporated in the publication of this section under RCW 1.12.025(2). For rule of construction, see RCW 1.12.025(1).

Finding—Application—Rules—Effective date—Contingent effective date—2012 c 2 (Initiative Measure No. 1183): See notes following RCW 66.24.620.

Expiration date—2009 c 507: See note following RCW 66.24.320.

Application to certain retailers—2003 c 167 ss 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 s 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.

Effective date—1981 1st ex.s. c 5: See RCW 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.