Michigan’s First Liquor Stores

.A Toast to the End of Prohibition

On December 30, 1933, Michigan celebrated the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter as the state’s first liquor stores opened their doors. This milestone came just ten days after the repeal of Prohibition. This marked Michigan’s pivotal role in shaping the nation’s approach to alcohol regulation.

Prohibition: A Dry Era for Michigan

Prohibition, enforced from 1920 to 1933, made the sale, manufacture, and transportation of alcohol illegal in the United States. Despite the restrictions, alcohol flowed clandestinely through bootlegging, speakeasies, and smuggling operations. This was especially prevalent in states like Michigan, with its proximity to Canada and the Great Lakes.

Michigan’s relationship with Prohibition was complex. The state was the first to implement a statewide ban on alcohol. It was also the first to ratify the 21st Amendment, which repealed Prohibition. This duality underscores Michigan’s significant role in the Prohibition saga.

A Historic Date: December 5, 1933

On December 5, 1933, Utah became the 36th state to ratify the 21st Amendment, officially repealing the 18th Amendment and ending Prohibition nationwide. Michiganders rejoiced as they could legally enjoy alcohol for the first time in nearly 16 years.

Michigan’s First Liquor Stores

Just 10 days later, on December 15, 1933, the newly established Michigan Liquor Control Commission (MLCC) began organizing the sale of alcohol. By December 30, the first seven state liquor stores opened in key cities:

Grand Rapids
Saginaw
Kalamazoo
Jackson
Detroit

These stores marked the start of a regulated system for alcohol distribution, creating a controlled yet celebratory environment for residents to purchase liquor legally.

Many hotels and restaurants were also granted two-day licenses to allow them to purchase liquor from outside providers — with a 40% tax — to get stocked up for the New Year’s holiday. With the repeal of prohibition, Governor William Comstock bought a bottle of Old Taylor, the first bottle of whiskey sold in the state.

Prohibition’s Legacy

The Prohibition era left a lasting imprint on Michigan. The state’s proximity to Canada made it a hub for smuggling operations, and its urban centers were hotbeds for speakeasies and underground culture. The end of Prohibition brought newfound freedoms. But there was also the challenge of regulating alcohol in a way that balanced commerce, public safety, and personal liberties.

A Raise of the Glass to Michigan

The opening of Michigan’s first liquor stores symbolized more than just the end of Prohibition—it represented a shift toward modern governance and a victory for the state’s long-standing relationship with the beverage industry. From its role as the first state to ratify the 21st Amendment to the swift establishment of regulated liquor stores, Michigan’s history with Prohibition is a story of transformation and resilience.

Marisa Fancy along with her husband and four children dreamt of moving “Up North”. They had vacationed for years in northern Michigan and in 1995 they finally made the move.

The family was always out exploring, but with 4 kids there was some limitations on what they could do. Marisa discovered the amazing network of trails in Northern Michigan after Steve died and she would walk for miles. The trails provided her with peace, comfort and solitude at a difficult time in her life. Later, after meeting Guy who would become her second husband, she learned to golf and found another passion she could enjoy in beautiful Northern Michigan.

Marisa has been the family historian, writer, and poet for as long as she can remember. She has always loved to write and has now found a creative outlet for it other than family. You can read her articles in Adventures in Northern Michigan, Northern Michigan History and Golf Up North.