After this weekend, the Bethel Spirits beverage store will be voluntarily closing. But if the state Alcoholic Beverage Control Board approves, the same property will be used for a different liquor store. Bethel Spirits is owned by the Bethel Native Corporation, whose President, Ana Hoffman, confirmed that they will be closing in “anticipation of the upcoming license transfer to Caribou Traders.”
Sea Lion Corporation, based out of the dry community of Hooper Bay, owns Caribou Traders. The transfer request first appeared on the ABC Board agenda last May, but BNC requested to have it postponed until after Bethel’s October municipal elections and local option vote. Since the alcohol ban failed, the transfer application will now appear on the December 17 ABC Board agenda for a vote.
Caribou Traders designated licensee for the transfer request, Dave Cottrell, says that they haven’t decided yet on whether they’ll sell hard liquor, or only sell beer and wine like Bethel Spirits currently does.
Bethel Spirits last days in operation are Friday, Dec. 7, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 8, from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.