New landscape for liquor stores in Washington - NBC Right Now/KNDO/KNDU Tri-Cities, Yakima, WA |

YAKIMA, Wash.  - Private liquor store owners who took over state stores after Washington left the business last June face an uphill battle. 

They're selling other products and promoting convenience and customer service to compete with bigger stores and groceries.

Washington Liquor Store Association President Jas Sangha says the biggest challenge is a 17% fee for retailers on hard liquor sales.  Liquor distributors can sell directly to restaurants at lower prices.