Driving up route 95 this morning I was greeted by electronic bill boards after crossing the state line into New Hamphire.
There were 2 signs in the first few miles that were flashing something like this:
40 NH HIGHWAY DEATHS --- ONE IS TOO MANY
( I used a sign generator for effect )
Then came the third sign......
The next sign after that was a big orange construction sign with the words "LIQUOR STORE" and an arrow to get you to the right exit during construction.
Here's a view inside the SALEM NH store over on Route 93:
"The New Hampshire Liquor Commission, which recently opened a new store in Salem, again saw record sales for the 2015 fiscal year, which ended June 30. At 24,000 square feet, the store is more than twice as large as the previous Salem store and is the largest in the state."
CONCORD — State wine and liquor sales increased by $21 million in the latest fiscal year to a record total of $642 million, according to the New Hampshire Liquor Commission. NHLC said the overall increase in sales at New Hampshire Liquor and Wine Outlets was 3.4 percent for fiscal 2015, which ended June 30. The increase was nearly an even split between spirits, which increased by 3.5 percent, and a 3.3 percent increase in wine sales, NHLC said in a release Thursday.Joseph Mollica, chairman of the NHLC, said the agency has worked to improve the locations of the outlets through relocation and renovations. .. Mollica also credited NHLC’s marketing and strategic buying efforts with the increased business. “Our success is truly a team effort,” Mollica said.The NHLC said the sales totals added up to 23.7 million bottles of spirits and 29.2 million bottles of wine.
I'm sure all 40 deaths were not alcohol related but the order in which I read the signage was a bit "interesting" to say the least.
I kinda felt like Homer as I traveled North.........
I think states that run the sales of liquor generally tax it higher too. Not sure.
ReplyDeleteIn Missouri (2nd cheapest) we have very low taxes on the stuff and can buy it anywhere.
Rank State Taxes per standard drink (¢)
Beer Wine Spirits
1 WY 0.2 N/A1 02
2 MO 0.6 1.6 2.3
3 NH 2.8 N/A1 02
4 CO 0.8 1.3 2.7
5 VT 2.5 2.1 02
6 WI 0.6 1.0 3.8
7 IN 1.1 1.8 3.1
8 TX 1.9 0.8 2.8
9 KS 1.7 1.2 2.9
10 WV 1.7 3.9 3.3
11 CA 1.9 0.8 3.9
12 AZ 1.5 3.3 3.5
13 RI 1.0 2.3 4.4
14 MA 1.0 2.1 4.7
15 NV 1.5 2.7 4.2
16 LA 3.0 0.4 2.9
17 DE 1.5 3.8 4.4
18 PA 0.8 N/A1 8.5
19 NY 1.3 1.2 7.5
20 NE 2.9 3.7 4.4
21 NJ 1.1 3.4 6.4
22 SD 2.5 4.7 5.5
23 CT 2.2 2.8 6.3
24 OH 1.7 1.3 11.5
25 ME 3.3 2.3 6.8
26 ND 3.7 4.1 5.5
27 OK 3.8 2.8 6.5
28 ID 1.4 1.8 12.8
29 MT 1.3 4.1 10.9
30 AR 3.0 5.5 7.7
31 MD 4.2 5.4 5.2
32 IL 2.2 5.4 10.0
33 NM 3.8 6.6 7.1
34 MS 4.0 N/A1 8.3
35 MI 1.9 2.0 14.0
36 IA 1.8 6.8 15.2
37 FL 4.5 8.8 7.6
38 SC 7.2 4.2 6.4
39 MN 4.5 4.7 10.3
40 GA 9.5 5.9 4.4
41 HI 8.7 5.4 7.0
42 UT 3.8 N/A1 13.2
43 KY 7.1 12.3 8.0
44 NC 5.8 3.1 15.3
45 TN 11.0 5.0 5.2
46 VA 2.4 5.9 24.1
47 OR 0.8 2.6 26.6
48 AK 10.0 9.8 15.0
49 AL 9.8 6.6 21.4
50 WA 7.1 3.4 41.3
That didn't paste well but you can still read it.
ReplyDeleteThat's the most beautiful liquor store I have ever seen! When I rolled down the page and saw it, I must confess I gasped and teared up a little. ha ha ha ha ha
ReplyDeleteThey are amazing and the parking lots are packed with MASS drivers
DeleteThe Mass state cops used to stake out this store, looking for Mass residents who were stocking up on cheap booze. After a while the NH staties began to run them off whenever they spotted them.
ReplyDeletePS: I have family in Salem and have been in this store many times.
I remember this story when it hit the news
ReplyDeleteMass. lawmaker defends decision to buy liquor in tax-free New Hampshire despite supporting new tax
http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2009/09/mass_lawmaker_defends_decision.html
Rules are for thee, not me.