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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Sales at Utah's state-run liquor stores topped $200 million in the last fiscal year, with the Park City branch leading the way.
"We're getting more people who drink moving into the state," said Ken Wynn, director of the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.
"But the increase in sales also comes from people buying high-priced stuff. We're selling tequila for $39.95 and $49.95, and high-scale vodkas in the $30 range," he said.
Sales, which include beer and wine, were $203.7 million for the fiscal year that ended June 30, compared to $179.8 million the previous year.
The department posted a profit of $47.4 million, compared to $38 million in the 2005 fiscal year. A tax that goes to the school-lunch program totaled $20.6 million.
The cost of a school lunch typically includes nearly 40 cents from the liquor tax.
The Park City outlet had $14.4 million in sales, just ahead of the Cottonwood Heights store in Salt Lake County.
The Brigham City store in Box Elder County was lowest, but sales reached $1 million there for the first time and are up nearly 16 percent since 2003.
The Draper store reported the largest percentage increase, 29 percent, while the Orem store had the smallest sales increase, 2 percent.
------ Information from: The Salt Lake Tribune, http://www.sltrib.com
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
