State officials are working to keep open a Salt Lake City liquor store, which is set to close Oct. 1.

The popular store at 1457 S. Main St. had sales last year of $3.1 million — including $1.2 million in profits that went to school-lunch subsidies, sales tax revenues and directly into the state's general fund.

Next Tuesday, state Sen. Ben McAdams, D-Salt Lake City, is scheduled to ask liquor-control commissioners to postpone closing the store, giving him and the Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control time to find more savings to cover operating costs.

Despite a petition signed by 3,000 people, the department opted to close the store as part of cost-cutting moves ordered by state lawmakers. This year alone, the department has been ordered to cut its budget by $653,000, even though profits from liquor sales last year totaled more than $59 million.

The Main Street store costs $210,000 annually to operate.

After discussions with McAdams, department officials said they could come up with $100,000 to help offset the store's operating costs. That money would come from a yearlong delay in purchasing equipment for the state liquor warehouse.

McAdams, in turn, is expected to ask lawmakers for a supplemental appropriation to pay for the store's remaining operating expenses.

"It's been an incredibly difficult budget year, so it'll be an uphill battle to get additional money to keep open the store," said McAdams. "That's why it will be important for the [liquor] department to find ways to generate additional revenue."

Deputy liquor director John Freeman and other officials have said the store is an important asset to its community, many of whom must walk or ride a bike to get to the outlet. Community leaders have said that although residents could drive the more than half-mile to a nearby state wine store, the lack of sidewalks in the industrial area there makes walking difficult.

Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker and the City Council support keeping the store open. At public hearings on other outlets, law enforcement officials have successfully lobbied to keep stores from closing, arguing that a closed storefront can depress an area, emboldening lawbreakers.

Both the Main Street store and an older outlet once located across the street have operated in the neighborhood since the early 1970s. Bonds for the current store, which opened in 1994, will not be paid off until 2014.

Once the store closes, the property will be sold off. The eight employees who work at the store could be laid off.

dawn@sltrib.com