Oregon Liquor Sales Surge
Hermiston Liquor Store
SALEM, Ore. (AP) -- Oregon liquor sales surged in June at stores near the border with Washington as new regulations took effect north of the Columbia River.
The data back up anecdotal reports that shoppers from Washington have been crossing the border to escape higher liquor taxes.
Oregon Liquor Control Commission data reviewed by The Associated Press show that a store in Rainier saw a 60 percent increase last month over June 2011. Stores in Umatilla and Milton-Freewater reported sales spikes above 50 percent.
Altogether, at 13 liquor stores near the border, revenue was up 35 percent in June. Statewide, sales grew by just 12 percent.
There's no conclusive proof that the Washington law is driving the influx, but owners of several border stores say their new customers are after lower Oregon prices.