As non-essential businesses close, liquor stores in Idaho have remained open.
Both Gov. Jay Inslee of Washington and Gov. Brad Little of Idaho listed those involved in the sale of liquor — and in Washington, cannabis — as essential workers.
Jeff Anderson, the director of Idaho State Liquor Division (ISLD), said the division’s existing warehouse system has impacted the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
ISLD, which normally controls the sale of distilled spirits through a state-owned warehouse, has received and distributed personal protective equipment across Idaho for the past 10 to 11 years. Once the pandemic began, ISLD was prepared to aid the state with a warehouse and employees experienced in managing forklifts and other warehouse equipment.
“Once the pandemic begins, other agencies can start to stand up warehouse facilities, but it doesn’t happen overnight,” Anderson said. “Whereas here, we’re ready.”
Anderson added some local governments within Idaho to rely on revenue from the 6% state liquor tax to support essential services, including first responders fighting the pandemic.
The continued operation of liquor stores also helps discourage travel, Anderson said. He said citizens of Pennsylvania swarmed liquor stores when the governor announced a state-wide closure. He also added that the Mayor of Denver closed liquor and cannabis stores in the city but reversed the decision within hours due to a panicked community response.
“This is a legal product,” Anderson said. “Whether you agree with the consumption of it or not, we tried prohibition about 80 years ago and we discovered it didn’t work.”
ISLD has implemented rigorous cleaning procedures, placed sneeze guards in their stores and limited how many people can enter their stores at a time in response to the pandemic. As of April 10, six ISLD stores were temporarily closed due to staffing issues, but staff who were able to work elsewhere were redeployed.
Floyd’s Cannabis Manager Kyle Dekelaita has also canceled daily deals and happy hours to combat crowds, placed sneeze guards, strengthened its cleaning procedures and placed an employee at its front door to limit traffic in the store. In addition, the company is encouraging online orders and curbside pickup as alternatives to entering the store.
Dekelaita said Washington’s 44.8% tax on cannabis creates revenue for the state, keeping the state afloat while other forms of income dry up. He said although Floyd’s is not a medical store, some of the company’s customers use it to help with medical conditions and calming their nerves.
“Before (the pandemic), customers were able to handle and look at product,” Dekelaita said. “As of now, they’re not allowed to touch anything. That’s been one of the biggest changes for us.”
ISLD has encouraged all employees to telework if possible, Anderson said, but some employees are still needed to operate the distribution center and storefronts.
Dekelaita said employees showing symptoms for COVID-19 are not allowed to work at Floyd’s, but their jobs are safe.
Dekelaita and Anderson both emphasized the importance of social distancing to prevent community spread of COVID-19.
“The response (from Brad Little) has been responsible and, in my view, effective because we have been able to contain community spread as much as possible,” Anderson said. “It’s everyone’s responsibility to participate in that.”
Lex Miller can be reached at [email protected]