Construction has begun on a new state wine and liquor store in Marriott-Slaterville at 1115 W. 12th St., near Scooter’s Coffee and IFA. Michelle Schmitt, DABS director of communications and external affairs, told the Standard-Examiner that the current plan is for the store to be up and running by fall 2025.

According to Schmitt, construction is currently in the site prep phase, with footings and infrastructure to be installed soon.

When the nearly 12,500-square-foot facility is completed, it will boast features unavailable in some older liquor stores, including cold, ready-to-drink beverages.

“For a couple years now, all new stores that are built are built to include refrigeration. So, this store will have coolers,” Schmitt said. “That’s something that folks can anticipate in any new store that we have.”

The store will also have a “Proudly Utah” section, spotlighting products made locally in the Beehive State.

The preponderance of nondrinkers in Utah notwithstanding, Schmitt says that the funds that state-run liquor stores generate benefit residents of varying demographics.

“Something that I think a lot of people don’t realize is that the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services actually serves all Utahns, whether or not they drink alcohol,” Schmitt said. “And that is because the revenue that this department generates actually funds crucial services that everyone uses, like roads and transportation, education, health and public safety.”

While residents of Marriott-Slaterville await the completion of the new store, there are several other stores ready to serve them in Weber and Davis counties, and they’re serving up more than just beverages.

For the second consecutive year, state liquor stores will serve as hubs for community support, accepting donations of items for people and pets in need, through Feb. 28, 2025. To that end, each store handpicked its beneficiary organization.

“Every organization is different as far as what their needs are. Every store has a large donation box and there’s a sign on it saying which organization they’re collecting for and also the types of things that they’re asking for,” Schmitt said.

Area stores and beneficiaries are as follows:

• Store 8 at 520 N. 500 West, Bountiful — The Other Side Academy and Utah Food Bank.
• Store 19 at 3802 Pacific Ave., Ogden — YCC Ogden.
• Store 21 at 484 N. Wall Ave., Ogden — St. Joseph’s.
• Store 23 at 5948 S. 1900 West, Roy — YCC Ogden.
• Store 24 at 1160 Patterson Ave., Ogden — Lantern House.
• Store 30 at 625 W. 600 North, Layton — Davis County Animal Shelter.
• Store 47 at 865 W. Antelope Drive, Syracuse — Safe Harbor Crisis Center.
• Store 50 at 579 Lagoon Drive, Farmington — Ogden Rescue Mission.