RETAIL LIQUOR LICENSES UP FOR BID - Calhoun Only Dry County In WV

(04/17/2010)
Bids for 135 state retail liquor licenses will be opened and reviewed next week in Charleston. The deadline to submit a bid to the state is Saturday evening.

The state changed its retail liquor sales business in 1991 when it eliminated state liquor stores and put the licenses out for bid.

The bids are up every 10 years.

Calhoun is the only dry county in West Virginia, with no license being issued for an outlet.

Voters have turned down at least two efforts for a retail outlet in the county.

State Alcohol Beverage Control Administration spokesman Gig Robinson says 46 free standing liquor retailers accepted the purchase option last year and are not part of the bidding process.

The remaining 135 licenses have been put out for bidding.

Robinson says a retail license is valuable.