CHANGE OF PLAN: Ohio’s 4-day liquor sale is now a 31-day sale instead

The list of items available at the Last Call stores is available on the OHLQ web site.

***PREVIOUS UPDATE (June 28, 2019)***

For decades, regardless of whether it was frowned-upon by state or local laws, Ohioans have hit the road for real or perceived liquor bargains, stocking up in other states such as Kentucky or Indiana where retailers have more leeway in discounting booze.

Now, just in time for the July 4 holiday, the Ohio Division of Liquor Control wants to make that bargain-hunting drive a little shorter.

>> PHOTOS: Trotwood one month after tornado, on the ground and from the air

The division has just announced a sale of sorts on spirits selections at its three "Last Call" stores in the state, in Cincinnati, Columbus and Toledo, that will include additional discounts of up to 50 percent to already-marked-down merchandise. The four-day sale starts Monday, July 1 and runs through July 4, a spokeswoman for Ohio Liquor said.

The state’s Last Call stores sell close-out, discontinued and slow-selling bottles of liquor. They started as a pop-up concept, but proved so successful that the three existing close-out stores are open  year-round, and the state is looking to add more.

>> Marion's Pizza to offer 50% off pizzas for 5 days for its 54th anniversary

Customers can find the available inventory at each store at this www.ohlq.com web link.  The division's Cincinnati store is at a Kroger at 7578 Beechmont Ave., and the Columbus store is at 777 Neil Ave. To add a bit of extra incentive to visit the last-call stores, the division will release a few rare bourbons during the three-day event as well.

>> PHOTOS: Old North Dayton one month after tornadoes

Here are the price tiers and the additional discount available within each price tier:

Customers can go to OHLQ.com to see inventory at each store. The stores will be receiving more inventory through next week, so a division spokeswoman suggested that customers continue checking the site to see updated inventory.

“Or better yet, just stop in,” she said.

>> The BEST places to celebrate the Fourth of July with fireworks, food and fun

The spokeswoman said those who do find bargains to their liking consume their spirits responsibly.

***ORIGINAL STORY (March 22, 2019)***

Buoyed by the success of its initial “Last Call” trial store in Columbus, the Ohio Division of Liquor Control is poised to open a second store dedicated to close-out, discontinued and slow-selling spirits in Cincinnati.

>> WORTH THE DRIVE: New attraction in Columbus to transport you to another world

The store will open at 9 a.m. Wednesday, March 27, in the Kroger store at 7578 Beechmont Ave. in Cincinnati.

>> Biggby Coffee now hiring for its 1st Dayton-area shop near UD

The store, which also stocks regular product offerings, will serve as the southwest Ohio hub for “Last Call” items — “those products that have been discontinued, as well as the slow movers we’ll no longer offer in Ohio once the existing stock sells through,” a spokeswoman for the division of liquor control said.

Discounts will range from zero to 40 percent.

>> SWEET NEWS: Cinnabon will return to the Dayton Mall after a two-year absence

Here are some examples of discounts that are  scheduled to be available in the first days of the Cincinnati Last Call opening, as provided by the Ohio Division of Liquor Control. All are standard-sized bottles (750 ml) unless otherwise noted. Each item will be sold “as supplies last,” and the inventory will fluctuate considerably.

>> Dayton tavern owner decides to close kitchen: 'I can't take it anymore'