What do you call a liquor store?
 

We were at the beach (Cape Cod, MA) today and overheard a guy on his cellphone. He was leaving and on his way to a "package store." In Massachusetts a package store (or a "packie") is a liquor store. I commented on that term and my wife asked me why they're not called package stores everywhere else. As far as I know, they're only called that in New England. So out of curiosity, what are liquor stores called in other parts of the country?

Liquor store. :)

Yes, Dave, that's what they call them in my part of the San Fernando Valley, too.

If Liz asked me to stop by the package store, I'm not sure what I'd do. Probably stop by the FedEx store or something and buy her some boxes.

I grew up in NE so package store is familiar to me but then again I also know people who call soda (Coke, Pepsi, Root Beer ,whatever) tonic. I think that is a Boston terminology but I could be wrong.

Packie could be someone from Pakistan

Liquor store could be someplace where you get an ice cream cone, get it, lick and ice cream.

I'll stop there. It's just the way my warped mind works.

They call them package stores in the carolinas from what I can tell. I did get an odd look when I asked for the nearest pkg store in Atlanta. Liquor store or beer store - two distinct entities here in Ontario.

Ian

We used to stop at Cappy's Liquor Store on Friday nights in the Boston area." Package" always sounded more discrete or political correct.

I've always called them either a liquor store or a package store. I'm from FL. my dad moved from OH when he was a kid. I'm not sure if we got "package store" from his birthplace or from the military. I'm assuming the military. I think they are called package stores on mil bases.

Beer store...

Class VI

In Alabama we used to call them ABC stores

Military base liquor store = Class VI store

ABC is how I knew them when I was living there. Package store in many states where liquor is sold by state run stores. Liquor store if all they have is a off sale liquor license.

I don't know how it is nowadays, but AZ used to sell beer/wine out of drive up windows. I remember pulling into Bullhead or Havasu City and buying some cold ones from the front seat. With CA plates, I had a local LEO follow me until I got to my motel and parked, locked and walked away (w/o the beer).

Never went back to those holes.

I must be old, I still call it the LCBO, short for Liquor Control Board of Ontario.

We had the ALCB. I guess it still exists, but the stores have been privatized.
Once we had to line up a Christmas time outside the store in winter weather because they couldn't handle the business.
Now we don't.
It was actually part of the alphabet in Alberta.
A L C B U I C O O I C R C M P.

Growing up in Va it was ABC store

Now its the Winn Dixie grocery store a mile from the house.

I know them as liquor stores.

I've heard of ABC = Adult Beverage Center?

Yup.

I'm not a big drinker so I'm rarely in there. I always get a weird feeling when I'm in there since it's run by the state. I prefer my vices and the government are mutually exclusive. :)

I think ABC in AL stands for Alabama Beverage Control. Here in GA we are all enlightened and do not need the devil's drink to alter our brain chemistry. We have moved on to a divine substance called Meth to do it for us. And, as a bonus, it's harmless.

But if we weren't so perfect, I suppose we'd call it a liquor store.

Liqqa Sto.

Heard them called Package Stores in both NM and CO. All are privately owned.

Here, it's the Liquor Store.

I used to go to one in Houston called "The Center for Gracious Living".

Here in CO it's liquor store. I dated a girl from Chicago who always called it a "Party Store."

I used to "frequent" a good one when I lived in Arkansas. It was a gas station that after filling your tank, you went to the drive through window to pay. There you could order whatever booze you wanted "to go". They also sold fireworks.....fireworks that would get you jailtime in California!
Great combo......Gas, Booze and Fireworks!

In OK they are called package stores or liquor stores... Depends on what the owners want to put on the sign.

In Cali it is liquor store. Heard them called by various names by people from different parts of the country. Package store/shop it for a lot of the the land, packie would be about right for a couplabastahds from Bahston.

Laws vary by state for a lot of stuff regarding booze, even by county. My father in law was pretty surprised that they sold hard liquor in the grocery store. I remember when I was in college, they sold hard liquor from a different store. Two in Salem, OR back in late '80s, seem to recall they were both state owned, closed really early.

The sign said,



Liquor in the front, poker in the rear....

I work with a lot of old Detroit guys and they use the term 'party store' sometimes.. appropriate, but odd.

In SC, most people just refer to them as liquor stores, but I have heard some people call them red dot stores.

Why is there a red dot on South Carolina liquor stores?

It is believed to have its origin in the South Carolina Constitution of 1895, article 8, section 11, which prohibited alcohol sales between sundown and sun-up. The red ball designates the sun and identifies the store as one that sells alcohol. The State newspaper, 10/03/1984, gave the following theory:

In the 1940s, the state was forcing liquor stores to shrink their signs dramatically, so as not to advertise alcohol too blatantly. Stores were allowed to use lettering only a few inches high on doors or windows. A Charleston liquor store "highlighted" the tiny lettering with a dramatic red dot, and everyone else followed suit.

Why is there a red dot on South Carolina liquor stores? | Richland County Public Library
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1286177054.jpg

Montana has state run stores. We called them state stores.

The drive thru in Jackson, Wyoming was a blast. Pull up and order a case (or whatever). How much better can it get?

We have Liquor Stores for the hard stuff. Almost every gas station sells beer. There is a gas station a few blocks from my house where you can get cold beer handed to you while sitting in your car.

+1

Ohio used to have state run stores and everyone called them "state stores." Now the license liquor sales to third parties.

North Carolina
Package Store
ABC Store
Aunt Betty's
Liquor Store

South Carolina
Red Dot
Package
Red Ball
Liquor Store

It was always called "Class 6" on Air Force Bases, but on Navy bases they were "Package Stores"

Yep !

MT = State Stores

The drive through store in Jackson is simple called the cabin. I've taken a couple home from there. :rolleyes:

I always thought that the ABC was for alcohol,beer and cigarettes

the altar.

ABC = Alcohol Beverage Control
Here you can get any type of adult beverage at convenience stores, grocery stores, and liquor stores

Growing up in Va. we called the ones with the front counter ABC stores.(had to tell the clerk what you wanted and they went and got it for you) The walk in stores we called a package store.

In PA the state controls the liquor sales hence "State Store"

Although vacationing in Traverse City Michigan it was always "party store"

Packaged goods from liquor stores comes from a time when liquor could be purchased w/o the original package or bottle. The term implies that buying liquor in it's original sealed bottle.