EDMONTON, ALBERTA--(Marketwire - Aug. 21, 2012) - Liquor Stores N.A. Ltd (the "Company") (TSX:LIQ), North America's largest publicly-traded liquor retailer (based upon number of stores and revenue) today reported that the United States District Court, Western District of Kentucky (the "Court") issued its final order in a court challenge to the state statute (the "Law") which prohibits the sale of wine and distilled spirits within grocery stores and gas stations.
As noted in its interim order, the Court held in its final order that the Law violates the "equal protection" clause of the United States Constitution and the Commonwealth of Kentucky Constitution. The Court's final order contained a fifteen (15) day stay in the matter which will allow the various litigants time to assess their options. The defendants in the matter, the Kentucky Public Protection Cabinet, the Kentucky Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, and the Kentucky Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control have the option of appealing the order to the U.S. Court of Appeals. The right of appeal is also provided to the intervening defendant in this matter, a local liquor store operator.
Rick Crook, President & Chief Executive Officer stated, "We will continue to actively monitor the situation. It is our understanding that it may be a lengthy process before there's a final resolution and until such time it is business as usual."
About Liquor Stores N.A. Ltd.
The Company currently operates 242 retail liquor stores in Alberta, British Columbia, Alaska and Kentucky. The Company's common shares and convertible subordinated debentures trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbols "LIQ" and "LIQ.DB.A", respectively.
Additional information about Liquor Stores N.A. Ltd. is available at www.sedar.com and the Company's website at www.liquorstoresna.com.
Contact Information:
Patrick de Grace, CA
Chief Financial Officer
(780) 917-4179