Alex Lopez recently opened the Twisp Liquor Store on Highway 20.
By Don Nelson
The Twisp Liquor Store, offering a wide variety of wine, beer, spirits and mixers, has opened on Highway 20 in the former Bryan’s Clothing and Sporting Goods space.
The store, at 102 Highway 20 N., is operated by Alex Lopez, whose family also owns and operates the La Fonda Lopez restaurant across Highway 20. It is open seven days a week.
Lopez purchased the private liquor store operation in Twisp from Patrick McGann, who closed his store when a statewide voter initiative allowed liquor sales in grocery stores and other outlets, and took the state out of the liquor-selling business.
McGann said this week that Initiative 1183 grandfathered in the right for contract liquor store owners to operate without having to meet the 10,000-foot minimum rule. That exemption was determined to be personal property that could be transferred, McGann said. Lopez said he had to independently apply for a liquor license to open the store.
McGann said he hopes to work in the new store for a few days a week in the near future.
Business has been steady for the first couple of weeks the store has been open, Lopez said. Some people prefer shopping in a liquor store to buying liquor in a grocery store, he said.
Lopez is keeping a “request list” for items that shoppers can’t find in the store.
Hours are 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Thursday, noon – 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and noon – 8 p.m. on Sunday. The phone number is 997-0318.
