(KCPW News) Proposed cuts to the Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control would close four state liquor and wine stores, six independently-operated package agencies, and cause store hours to be cut back. That’s what DABC Deputy Director John Freeman told Utah lawmakers this morning. But by saving money through budget cuts, the state loses money from all the revenue the stores bring in. Freeman says it’s hard to know for sure how much sales would dip.
“We don’t know exactly how many people will go to different stores or change their buying habits and shop at different times,” he says. “But we know there will be a loss. How much that is? The projections vary from 1 percent to 9 percent.”
So with fewer places for customers to purchase alcohol in the Salt Lake Valley, how will the DABC try to ensure they remain satisfied?
“The only thing we can do is continue to offer the best customer service we possibly can, to listen to our patrons, and to make sure we carry the products they want to purchase,” says Freeman.
One store on the chopping block is on Main Street in Salt Lake City. There are 44 state liquor and wine stores in Utah, and more than 100 independently-operated package agencies.
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