OLCC: Distilled spirits sales up 43 pct. leading up to eclipse

The Oregon Liquor Control Commission said Tuesday its preliminary data shows a 43 percent ($737,000) increase in distilled spirits sales year over year from 57 retail liquor stores along the path of totality from Wednesday, August 16 through Sunday, August 20 .

Statewide, the agency has tracked more than $10 million in spirits sales during the eclipse event, $1.8 million (21 percent) more than the same period the previous year.

An interactive map on the OLCC’s web page shows the reported sales so far from the five days leading up to the eclipse. Sales statistics for all stores are still being compiled. Final data will be released in late September.

“With the increased tourism traffic, we expected more customers at liquor stores, especially along the path of totality,” says Will Higlin, OLCC deputy director. “Our staff did a great job working with retail liquor store owners to plan ahead for the increased traffic to make sure we could accommodate the high number of visitors and get shipments out the door in plenty of time.”

OLCC’s Distribution Center worked with private carriers not only to get the added orders out the door and to store shelves on time but also to relieve additional road congestion on these busily traveled days.