ARLINGTON — With the June 1 privatization of previously state-run liquor stores, the future of the trade is not without uncertainty. Thousands of stores closed, grocery and department stores began selling spirits and in some towns, liquor stores became a thing of the past.

In Arlington, however, residents can still shop at their neighborhood liquor store Arlington Spirits and Convenience, which was purchased and opened for business on June 1 by Scott Cho.

With the change in ownership, customers can expect a wider range of selection of liquor, as well as a much larger wine selection and convenience store items such as soda and snacks.

“Right now we’ve really started building the wine selection,” said Angela Rifner, store manager. “We’ve got more than 100 different bottles. We also carry a lot of Washington wines and some from local wineries who haven’t sold much retail before.”

Arlington Spirits and Convenience offers a multitude of brands and flavors of liquor as well, which they say isn’t available at most of the larger grocery stores.

“They only carry a few flavors of Pinnacle, Smirnoff and Burnett’s. But people really like the flavors and we carry a lot more,” said Rifner.

They are also offering mini bottles and pints and are keeping the prices visible.

“We include both taxes on the tickets so what you see is what you pay,” said Rifner.

“Between my store and the grocery store, the big difference is that we have a lot more items,” said Cho.

Customers are already giving back a positive response.

“There are a couple of reasons why I shop here. I want my tax dollars to be spent locally versus the distributors out of state. Also, they step up and provide a service by filling out my order for me,” said Barbara Jones, owner of White Horse Saloon. “The price has some effect, but I would actually spend more to buy locally.”

For more information on Arlington Spirits and Convenience call 360-435-3942.