Sami cultural centre gets liquor store

The Sami community of Kautokeino, population 3,000, will soon have a liquor store to call its own.

Norway’s largest newspaper, the Aftenposten reports Norway’s state liquor monopoly known as Vinmonopolet will open 20 more stores in small towns around the country next year, including one in Kautokeino.

Liquor retailing is highly taxed and tightly controlled in Norway, with all sales handled through the state-owned stores. Until recently, all purchases had to be conducted over a counter. Some stores now allow customers to shop freely down the aisles.