Less than one week into the privatization of liquor sales in Washington and shoppers are taking their business to North Idaho.

During the first five days in June a state-run liquor store in Post Falls saw a 19-percent increase in customers and a 47-percent increase in sales.

Shirley Whipple started coming to Idaho from Washington years ago because of a better selection, but stayed a local interstate customer because of the prices

"When it was available it was five, six of seven dollars more a bottle in Washington than here," Whipple said.

Even after you figure in the price of gas, Washington residents are finding big savings in Idaho liquor stores.

A bottle of Black Velvet that sold in Spokane before June 1 cost $ 12.45 is now priced at $16.07 but over in Post Falls its just $10.02, a $6 difference.

"Well what did people think they were going to get? I'd they think they were going to get lower prices," Whipple asked.

In Post Falls Friday some customers were buying liquor by the case and if they were taking it back to Washington they were technically breaking the law. Washington state limits Idaho alcohol runs to no more than two liters per person per month.

"I really don't care," Ron Seaman said. "I'm going to do what I have to do and they'll have to give me a ticket."

Idaho's state-owned liquor stores share their profits with local governments. Last year liquor sales in post falls added $450,000 to the city's budget which the city spends on its police and fire department.

One of Washington's new liquor taxes will go down five percent this time next year, but if Washington shoppers keep buying their alcohol in Post Falls the extra revenues they generate will be more than welcome over in Idaho's fastest growing city.