The line of people waiting to legally buy alcohol - the first opportunity they've had in decades - stretched outside on the opening day of Kotzebue's new liquor store Aug. 25, reports the Arctic Sounder.
Clients started filing in around 3 p.m. after members of the local beverage control board cut the ribbon for the new store, a small space in a renovated garage next to the Kotzebue jail.
Beer, wine and spirits are stacked up and shelved in rows behind a counter, giving the shop a warehouse-like atmosphere.
Beer flew off the shelves, especially 30-packs of Budweiser, notes the Arctic Sounder.
The new operation also includes a distribution center, where residents pick up alcohol ordered from out of town.
The city runs both efforts. Last year, voters decided to loosen Kotzebue's local-option law, allowing the city to sell and distribute alcohol.
Residents must still buy a permit if they wish to buy alcohol from the city or get it delivered to town.
Over at City Hall on opening day the lines for new permits were also deep. Offices stayed open late to handle all the applicants. The city of around 3,000 has issued about 200 permits so far.
Revenue from alcohol sales will go to a general fund to support programs such as the adult recreation center and emergency services. Those services would normally fall through the cracks because Kotzebue doesn't have a large population base to fund them, Hohnbaum said.
The store sold about $8,000 of booze on its first day.
