Does downtown Redmond need four liquor stores?

  This Redmond State Liquor Store will close on May 29
with a new name.

UPDATED:  I stopped into Redmond Way's Washington State Liquor Store last Thursday, May 24 and chanced into an  exciting conversation with store manager, Peggy.  Fran said, "I've never seen Thursday so busy before."

The state store’s last day is May 29.

Peggy and Fran are the two state worker staying on with the new proprieters, the Roh brothers.  They plan to re-open the doors in early June, probably "by June 2.”  Peggy wasn’t sure of the exact opening and some online buzz was circulating that the lease with the landowner was still being negotiated.  It’s not cheap.

The QFC’s, a Safeway and two nearby Costco’s are timed to “come up for air” with competitive pricing (for the first time) on June 1, by 5AM.  Who will surface as the local price leader?   Does downtown Redmond need four liquor stores?

Peggy was excited about her new prospective bosses, Jeff and Mike Roh:  Jeff's an orthopedic surgeon and Mike's wife Grace works in Finance with Nordstrom.  The Roh's are Greater Redmond residents, brothers of Korean descent, entrepreneurs and successful bidders of the Redmond Way liquor license and another in Mukilteo where their parents live.

The Roh's are a small fish in the pond compared to the two QFC's and Safeway selling liquor and premium wines nearby.  One QFC is only about 500 feet away. (see map)  I asked Peggy how'd they compete?   She answered that for one, most everyone in Redmond knows where to buy liquor and if they phone in she reminds them it's the old "Underhill’s" store.  For another, they plan to "go Local" on Redmond culture and commerce.  Pointing to the beautiful Redmond Way bay windows of the historic brick building Peggy said they're looking at additional artifacts to dress up the inside.  They will advertise "Premium Wine and Spirits," and have beer and wine tastings, glassware, with food, craft-aged scotch, cigars, local wines, gift boxes, accessories, specialty liquors like Bluewater Vodka, ice coolers, a different LOGO and sign profile changes and contracts with small local distributors.

Loud signs and "best use" are big community issues. Read More >>


In April 25, 2010, a Redmond blog reader and 15-year Redmond resident commented:  "Very cheesy looking signage and I agree, extremely disappointing use for a high profile building and location."  Another said, "I know this is a crappy time to open new retail locations, especially restaurants, but wouldn't this have made a great addition to the "restaurant/bar district" along Leary Way?"

Peggy was aware of community opposition to loud signage and the sale of liquor in Mayor Brown's historic 20-car garage building.  Many want a restaurant.  She didn't pull out design plans but made a point about restaurants.  "Restaurants will get hurt the worst from Initiative 1183 because they lose their 25% liquor discount from the state, she said.

The Roh's business plan appears to draw in part from certain aspects of two favorite local Redmond small businesses:  Malt And Vine on Redmond Way across from Safeway and  Fine Wine And Cigars in sight distance to the store.  Whether all these fish can swim together in Redmond's small downtown market is yet to be seen. 

Reports and Reviews to follow...