Liquor Commission gets new powers

The Union Leader's Dan Touhy outlines the new latitude that lawmakers have given the Liquor Commission in hopes of boosting state revenues:

The commission will reorganize to improve management, boost marketing and warehouse operations, and reduce licensing red tape.

State law soon to take effect provides greater authority to close under-performing stores and to open up to eight new agency stores. Plans call for new stores in Manchester and Nashua. South Willow Street in Manchester is being eyed for a major new retail store. The Conway store is up for a complete renovation, and a new store in Hampstead is scheduled to open in July.