The Leesi store in Juminda sells regular items like any village store. However, it is difficult for Leesi Tarwitajate Ühisus to keep the store running because the products are more expensive than in large stores.
If alcohol sales licenses become paid, the store will have to purchase these licenses. Alcohol accounts for 30% of the store's sales. Ants Viirmaa, a board member of Leesi, says: "If the fee is small, not much will change. But every tax increases the final price. If the fee is too high, alcohol may disappear from the store."
For the Riketsi flower shop, alcohol is of little importance. If a customer wants wine along with flowers, they can get it at Riketsi. But if the alcohol sales license becomes too expensive, Riketsi will give it up.
Riketsi manager Getriin Hermlin says: "If the licenses are expensive and the bureaucracy is extensive, there is no point in buying them. It won't affect our finances much, but some customers will buy from larger stores."
There are 10,000 alcohol sales licenses in Estonia. In recent years, their number has increased. 90% of people can reach a liquor store within 10 minutes. WHO recommends reducing sales points with paid licenses. The Ministry of Social Affairs is investigating this.
Kristiin Mikko, an advisor at the Ministry of Social Affairs, says: "In some places, licenses are more expensive if there are already many liquor stores. There are also places where special conditions must apply."