State liquor sales reach record in 2014

YOUNGSTOWN

Last year was a great one for Jim, Jack and the Captain.

State liquor sales in 2014 reached a record level of $949 million — an increase from 2013’s total by $50 million.

Money, apparently, didn’t hold people back from buying the good stuff.

“If they want to try something different, they are willing to spend a little more,” said Ryan Zocolo, store manager at Chalet Premier in North Lima.

In Mahoning County, there was nearly a $1 million increase in liquor sales from $19.4 million in 2013 to $20.3 million in 2014.

The Ohio Division of Liquor Control said customers throughout the state bought more premium items in 2014, which increased dollar sales.

Dominating the sales were premium and super premium products.

With an increase in sales comes an increase in tax revenue for the state.

In Trumbull County, sales increased from $11.5 million in 2013 to $11.9 million in 2014.

Columbiana County’s sales decreased slightly, from $4.1 million in 2013 to $4.07 million in 2014.

Read more about the trend in Friday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.