Update, March 29: BevMo! just opened up today, Friday, March 29. We'll stop by to take some pictures. Grand opening is still open next weekend, see below for more details on that.

Original, March 15

Within the past couple of weeks, the fencing has come down around the new BevMo! location in Ballard by the Fred Meyer and workers are putting on the finishing touches. We received word that their grand opening will be on Friday, April 5.

BevMo! has 130 stores in the company, including one in Northgate. People refer to it as the "Costco of liquor stores," a warehouse with all of the liquor you can possibly handle in this lifetime, and the next.

BevMo! describes itself as the "ultimate neighborhood specialty beverage store." If you're not convinced, they also promise treats for customers:

"Separately, at the following traditional BevMo! grand openings, the three new Washington stores (including Ballard) will offer the first 500 customers a complimentary gift bag valued at over $50 that includes barware, mixers and tasty snacks. And the fun doesn’t stop there – customers can stop by to enjoy wine and beer tastings and cocktail demonstrations throughout the entire grand opening weekend."

Cool.

For smaller distilleries and liquor stores, there may be some concern. "@Clivity" tweeted on March 11, "So BevMo has come to the city #Ballard please continue to support @picnicseattle & @portaliswines & say no to superstores #smallbizeveryday." It was retweeted by the wine boutique picnic in Phinney (6801 Greenwood Ave N, Seattle, WA 98103), Pete's Wine Shop in Eastlake (58 E Lynn St, Seattle, WA) and four others.

We'll try and get in touch with some local distilleries soon and see what they're opinion on the matter.

Or, you can get in touch with us at zachb@robinsonnews.com

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