Insights & resources for liquor store owners

Asking, “How much does it cost to open a liquor store?” is like asking, “How much does a bottle of wine cost?”

Inventory is the single largest ongoing expense for most liquor stores — and for new owners, it is often the cost that catches them most off guard. Before you can open your doors, you need enough stock to fill your shelves. Once you are open, that investment never stops. So how much should you ...

Ask any liquor store owner what's on their mind heading into 2026 and you'll hear the same themes: Costs are up, customers spend less per visit, and younger shoppers want something different than what their parents bought.

Do you drink the same cocktail on a warm summer night as you do at Christmas? Most likely not.

It's 1992. No smartphones, no GPS. You're getting ready to go on a road trip. Everyone's excited. You're ready to hit the road. And then you realize you don't have a map.

Many people dream of owning a small business.

Owning a liquor store can feel like having multiple jobs all at once.

Imagine mixing up a martini. You choose a sparkling glass, select a plump olive, and stir it to perfection — but if you skimped on the most important ingredient, you will be disappointed when you take that first sip.

If you sell beer, wine, or other canned alcoholic beverages in certain states, bottle deposits are part of your daily operations — whether you’ve fully figured them out or not.