Our State runs liquor stores and sells cheaper than the small private "package" stores. The small stores make it by staying open late and selling other stuff. None of the supermarkets have bothered with the hard liquor.

I am not sure exactly how it all works since I don't do much business with either type store anymore. I think the private retailers have to buy from the State stores. I know that the State had an exclusive nearly all my life but loosened their grip a little about 15-20 years ago.

The only problem anybody ever had with the State was too few outlets and typical government hours. There was some talk that competition would have meant lower prices if they had gotten out of it altogether but based on your experience that might not have worked here either.