Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- A state liquor board has voted to close one liquor store and cut hours at others because of budget cuts mandated by state lawmakers.
The Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control has been told to cut $653,000 from its budget.
On Tuesday the board voted to close a Salt Lake City store which annually turns a $3 million profit. The Main Street store will close on Oct. 1.
The board initially considered simply reducing the store's operating hours. That would have resulted in a loss of only $2 million in state revenue. Ten percent of that money goes to the school lunch fund.
"This does not make business economic sense. It's not logical," DABC Commissioner Jeff Wright said at the board's Tuesday meeting. "But we are forced to do this. Legislation requires us."
"This does not make business economic sense. It's not logical," DABC Commissioner Jeff Wright said at the board's Tuesday meeting. "But we are forced to do this. Legislation requires us. So I make this motion with regret and trepidation in the hope that a logical solution can be reached through conversation and dialogue."
With the closure, three full-time employees will be relocated and five part-time employees will lose their jobs.
DABC commissioners also voted to reduce the operating hours for some stores. Stores open for 12 hours daily will open one hour later beginning July 1.
DABC officials estimate that for each dollar cut from the budget, the state could lose up to $5 in sales revenue.
South Salt Lake police Chief Chris Snyder expressed concern over closing the business. Crimes rates often rise when businesses close, he said.
"Having active neighborhoods that are heavily trafficked is important for a police department," Snyder said. "It draws people to that area, it draws businesses to that area and overall it has an impact on the crime rate."
------
Information from: Deseret News
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
