COEUR d'ALENE - By July of this year, some state liquor stores could be open until 9 p.m. on most holidays and normal business days.

The State Liquor Division has submitted a budget request that would allow some stores to remain open for an extra two hours, according to director Jeff Anderson. The request would also allow shops to open on all holidays except Thanksgiving, Christmas and Memorial Day - the only days when liquor sales are prohibited by state statute.

"I think it's a good idea," said Crystal Kelso of Coeur d'Alene, who stopped by the liquor store on Sherman Avenue on Friday. She said the extended hours and additional days would be more convenient for shoppers, and would likely increase patronage at liquor stores.

Anderson predicted the changes would generate $1 million in additional gross profit.

There are 66 state liquor stores throughout Idaho. Nine stores are currently open until 9 p.m., Anderson said. Under the new rules, another 25 would stay open late.

Over the last several months, to test the concepts, the liquor division opened stores on Labor Day, New Year's Day and Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

"The customers responded," Anderson said, and the results were positive.

Anastasia Marshall of Coeur d'Alene is a former student at the University of Idaho. An old liquor store in Moscow used to close at 6 or 7 p.m., she recalled. A new store opened up, didn't close its doors until 8 or 9, and stayed open on Sundays.

"And it was a lot busier," Marshall said. "I wouldn't think that (new hours) would encourage any misbehavior. I think if they were open later, or on different days, it would probably increase liquor sales."

State legislators are scheduled to complete budget hearings on Friday, according to the legislature website. Budget setting should be finished by March 11, barring delays.

Before it can be enacted, the liquor division's budget must climb the successive rungs of the legislative process. If approved, the new liquor store hours would start in July, the beginning of the 2011 fiscal year.

"I didn't get a lot of negative questions (from legislators)," Anderson said. "But they've got a lot to do, so we'll see."

Shoppers in Coeur d'Alene or Post Falls have a number of liquor stores to choose from, with varying hours. But in some communities there's only one game in town.

Raymond Bomar, who visited Coeur d'Alene on Friday, lives in Athol.

"The only liquor store out there is in Bayview," he said.

Longer hours would make it easier for customers to buy items, especially those who have to drive a longer distance. And it would likely increase liquor sales, Bomar said.

Anderson told the Associated Press that liquor sales have been "a very stable revenue stream" and garnered $47 million in profits last fiscal year.

"Consumer shopping patterns have changed and evolved," Anderson said. "We're trying to take care of our customers in a responsible way."