Sandwiched between businesses selling sausage and soap, a new state-run store offers customers whiskey, rum and other hard liquors during the holiday season at a Federal Way mall.

The store at The Commons at Federal Way is one of four in Western Washington generating revenue for the state as part of a pilot project.

Diane Heiland browsed through the gift packages of Baileys Irish Cream and Russian vodka at the Liquor & Wine Holiday Gift Store last week.

“From what I’ve seen of it, it’s nice,” Heiland said. “If the state can make money, it might keep our taxes down on the other things.”

Making money to help offset the state’s multibillion-dollar budget deficit is one reason the Washington State Liquor Control Board launched the mall gift stores Nov. 1.

The state expects to generate $3.8 million during the 2009 and 2010 holiday seasons. The stores offer customers a convenient option for buying gifts, “but at the same time doing it safely and responsibly,” said liquor board spokesman Brian Smith.

The mall stores are only open to those 21 years or older, the legal age for buying alcohol. Younger people can be in the store with a parent or guardian. No liquor bottles are allowed for display in store windows.

Store manager Kamille Piña greeted and helped customers last week. She politely asked those who appeared under 30 for identification. In the first week, a few people who weren’t 21 entered the store, and she asked them to leave, Piña said.

Piña said the store is off to a good start. And as the holidays approach, “I think it will pick up.”

The stores feature gift packs also available at other state liquor stores, including two in Federal Way. The mall stores have smaller selections of wine and liquor by the bottle.

Carol Brandt bought a Christmas gift for her husband. “It’s got a great selection of interesting liquors,” Brandt said.

For instance, a Tommy Bahama picnic mojito set is priced at $49.95 includes two glasses, a shaker, muddler and a 1.75-liter bottle of rum packed in mini-suitcase. The “Elvis Party Pack” with three bottles of wine labeled with the singer’s picture sells for $24.99.

The 2,935-square-foot store is located between Hickory Farms and Bath & Body Works near the Macy’s Courtyard.

Smith said the Liquor Control Board will release sales figures after Dec. 31 when the stores close.

The mall stores are part of an aggressive expansion by state lawmakers in 2009 to gin up more revenue through hard liquor sales. The state plans to open a new liquor store every 60 days this fall, for a total of 15 new stores, and will continue to ease its ban on sales on Sundays and holidays. The expansion hasn’t been popular among some groups, such as the grocery industry, whose independent stores struggle while the state expands its booze monopoly.

The three other new holiday gift stores are in Pacific Place in Seattle, Alderwood Mall in Lynnwood and Bellis Fair Mall in Bellingham.

The store locations could change next year. The mall in Federal Way was chosen because it has strong anchor stores and is surrounded by a dense population, Smith said.

Steve Maynard: 253-597-8647 steve.maynard@thenewstribune.com