Providing members advocacy, education, and networking support to ensure our businesses thrive.
Supporting our businesses at the State Capitol on behalf of Montana's Agency Liquor Stores.
Curating educational opportunities and networking events with industry partners and fellow stores.
ABOUT
Made up of 95 agency liquor stores serving 84 communities across the state, the Liquor Store Owners Association of Montana (LSOAM) advocates for Montana agency liquor stores (also known as “state stores”). LSOAM members play a vital role in Montana’s alcohol distribution system, serving as wholesale suppliers to all all-beverage licensees in the state and selling directly to customers through retail locations.
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LSOAM members are small businesses, often family-owned and passed down through generations of Montanans. Agency stores employ more than 400 Montanans and contribute to the local economy and taxes.
95
Agency Liquor Stores
84
Communities Served
30
Years of Advocacy
61
Agency Store Members
Membership
Membership Benefits
Legislative Advocacy and Representation:
Gain a powerful voice in shaping state liquor laws and regulations through LSOAM's advocacy efforts. Stay informed about legislative developments and benefit from our lobbying efforts to ensure your interests as a liquor store owner are protected and advanced.
Educational Resources and Training:
Access educational resources, webinars, and monthly industry news designed to enhance your knowledge, stay ahead of industry trends, learn best practices, and strengthen your business.
Networking Opportunities:
Connect with fellow agency liquor stores and industry partners across Montana to share insights, experiences, and strategies for success.
Events:
Attend conferences and social gatherings to build valuable relationships, exchange ideas, and expand your professional network within the industry.
Member Stores
Benchmark Liquor, Great Falls #140
Boulder Cash #56
Carbon County Coal Wine & Spirits, Red Lodge #27
Cheers Unlimited, Hamilton #18
Chester Liquor Store #35
Chinook Liquor Store #28
Curly Willow Floral & Gifts, Choteau #34
Darby Wine & Spirits #85
Darlow's Quality Foods, Superior #30
East Helena #83
Glacier Liquor Store, Cut Bank #45​
High Spirits Liquor & Wine, Libby #6
Hometown Liquor, Great Falls #141
Hot Springs Liquor #61
M&M Liquor, Thompson Falls #7
Market Place, W Yellowstone #59
Miles City Liquors & Fine Wines #13
Montana Liquor & Wine, Kalispell #195
Montana Spirits & Wine, Bozeman #193
Murphy's State Liquor and Wine, Kalispell #12
O’Brien’s Liquor & Wine, Columbia Falls #73
Poplar #100
Sheridan Liquor & Fine Wine #105
Spirits State Liquor Store, Livingston #8
The Cave Spirits & Gifts, Big Sky #190
The Governors Keep, Fort Benton #31
The New Bottle Barn, Ennis #60
Twin Sister's Trading Company, W Sulphur Springs #36
Two Rivers Liquor & Wine, Columbus #16
Valley Drug & Variety, Stevensville #115
Valley Grocery, Alberton #138
AFFILIATE MEMBERS: BEAM SUNTORY, FRONTIER BEVERAGES, WILLIE’S DISTILLERY
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Advocacy
The Legislative priorities for the Liquor Store Owners Association of Montana emphasize safeguarding the integrity of the state's liquor retail framework. Central to these priorities is the resolute stance against liquor sales in grocery stores, recognizing the potential ramifications on local businesses and community safety. Additionally, the Association advocates for preserving Montana's three-tier system and control system, which ensures a balanced and regulated distribution of alcohol, fostering fair competition and accountability within the industry. By advocating for these priorities, the Association aims to uphold the interests of its members while promoting responsible alcohol sales and consumption across the state.
How Liquor Sales are Regulated in Montana
The Montana Alcoholic Beverage Control Division (ABCD) within the Department of Revenue (DOR) regulates alcoholic beverage licensing, enforces alcoholic beverage laws, and oversees the wholesale distribution of distilled spirits.
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The State receives all liquor in its warehouse in Helena and delivers it to 95 private agency stores around Montana. These agency stores are then responsible for distributing all liquor to Montana’s 1550+ all-beverage licensees (e.g., bars, taverns, and restaurants) at a set “posted” price determined by the State. In this role, agency stores are critical in ensuring that the smallest bars in the most remote towns of Montana are provided with products at a consistent and fair price.
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Agency stores also sell liquor to the general public through their retail locations. In Montana, consumers have many options for purchasing spirits. In addition to the 95 agency store locations, consumers can purchase directly from all-beverage licensees, many of whom operate their own retail stores.
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The number of agency liquor stores is determined by population. Franchise agreements are negotiated every ten years. The current contracts were renewed in 2023.
Benefits of Montana’s Liquor Control System
Revenues from liquor excise taxes contribute to the General Fund, totaling approximately $25 million in FY22. Part of these funds ($12.3 million) are distributed to the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services for treatment, rehabilitation, and prevention of alcoholism and chemical dependency.
Due to current state laws, Montanans can purchase a broader range of products than in other states from various competitive retail outlets. Montanans can also order from agency stores for home delivery, and many stores are now offering online retailing.
Montana’s alcohol control system promotes moderation in alcohol consumption and responsibility in retailing. Studies have indicated that opening liquor sales to box stores leads to more underage drinking and an increase in alcohol-related deaths, such as from driving under the influence.
Finally, the current system promotes Montana jobs and Montana businesses instead of allowing large out-of-state corporations to take revenues out of state.
LSOAM is a member of the Montana Alcohol Beverage Coalition alongside these fellow associations.
CONTACT
Liquor Store Owners Association of Montana
PO Box 1664
Whitefish, MT 59937
info@lsoam.org
Become a Member
Join LSOAM and become part of a community of agency liquor stores and affiliated members dedicated to excellence in the industry. Contact us to learn more about membership benefits and how to join.