Maine: Where can you buy liquor?
Maine sells liquor through privately run agency stores that buy spirits from the state and charge state-set prices.
The state sets both the wholesale and retail prices of spirits, while private businesses licensed as agency liquor stores make the sales. Maine no longer runs state liquor stores. A private contractor handles wholesale operations under a state contract, and agency stores are allowed only in towns that have voted to permit off-premises sales, or in unincorporated places where county commissioners have approved them.
What the law says
"Agency liquor store" means a person that is licensed by the bureau to sell spirits, wine and malt liquor to be consumed off the premises. ... An agency liquor store shall sell all spirits purchased from the bureau at the retail price established by the commission.
Sources
- 28-A M.R.S. § 2 (definitions) Official · legislature.maine.gov
- 28-A M.R.S. § 606 Official · legislature.maine.gov
- 28-A M.R.S. § 90 Official · legislature.maine.gov
- 28-A M.R.S. § 453 Official · legislature.maine.gov
Confirm with the state
- Agency
- Maine Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages and Lottery Operations
- Website
- maine.gov
How bordering states compare
- New Hampshire Government-run storesNew Hampshire sells liquor through state-run Liquor & Wine Outlet stores operated by the New Hampshire Liquor Commission.