PLATTSBURGH — Liquor and Wine Warehouse was honored last year at the American Beverage Licensees annual convention in Milwaukee.
The business received one of 24 Brown-Forman Retailer of the Year Awards. Twelve awards went to liquor and wine stores and 12 went to restaurants and taverns from across the United States.
Owner Steve Carpenter said the award came as a surprise when he was told prior to the convention.
"I was actually shocked and honored," he said. "After being in business for 37 years, I have done a lot to bring new products to this area."
Carpenter is in the midst of a large renovation project at the more than 11,000-square-foot store in the 4 Seasons Plaza. It is the fifth expansion since he moved to that location 20 years ago.
Work is under way to create a tasting room. A beautiful wooden counter is already in place, and carpet should be installed soon. Wainscotting extends halfway up the walls, with rectangular wooden brand signs at intervals.
Carpenter said the plan calls for it to open sometime in April. He said it will provide space for tastings, presentations, seminars and other special events for both wine and spirits. He plans to keep regular customers up to date about events through letters and emails.
It will allow him to present products he might not be able to carry on a regular basis, but can special order for his customers. Some of those products can be in short supply, so the sooner he knows a customer wants something, the better a chance to get some.
"I've always tried to meet my customers' best interests," Carpenter said.
Some of the display areas in the store are also being revamped, work that is expected to be finished sometime in May. Carpenter said they are going to install more shelving so they can reduce the amount of floor displays, especially around the perimeter of the store.
He expects to bring in another 200 items or more.
"We're redesigning the store so we can bring in new items and make it easier for our customers to shop," he said.
Carpenter said buying power has been key to the success of the business.
Customers would be surprised at the amount of storage space he has at the store, he said, and he even has some warehouse space in the Albany area.
Liquor and Wine Warehouse has about $1 million in inventory, compared to $25,000 when he started the business.
"Having the ability to buy and store gives the best value to our customers," Carpenter said.
His business, like most others in the North country, has benefitted from a strong Canadian dollar. He said the prices of wine he sells are three times higher in Canada, another reason a lot of Canadians shop there.
Carpenter is on the Board of Directors of the New York State Liquor Association. In that position, he has been part of the fight against proposals to allow wine sales in grocery stores, a measure that has been defeated three times in recent years.
Last year, he was the association's chair for its trade shows in Albany and Buffalo. The shows had more than 150 vendors and 500 people in attendance daily, Carpenter said.
The Carpenters contribute to a wide variety of community charities. He and his wife, Carol, chair the committee that organizes the annual Naked Turtle/Make-A-Wish golf tournament that has raised more than $100,000 for that organization.
Carpenter was named the 2006 Joe Bornstein Businessperson of the Year at the North Country Chamber of Commerce Awards Dinner.
He said his father, Lawrence, owned the L&M Motel and Restaurant and then opened L&M Liquors. Carpenter worked in all three businesses, including the liquor store starting when he was 19.
Five years later, he joined with George and Natalie Barnett to open Liquor and Wine Warehouse, a 1,500-square-foot store located on Route 3 near what is now Smithfield Boulevard. He bought out the Barnetts five years after that.
Carpenter, his father and his brother, Jeff, bought some land and built the 4 Seasons Plaza. Carpenter moved the store there 20 years ago.
Liquor and Wine Warehouse has 17 full-time employees at present. Carpenter said his wife, Carol, helps run the business.
He credits team leader Becky Shack for managing the staff and helping make it such a success. Carpenter also gives credit to floor supervisor Eric Lemieux, night supervisor Jeremy Brunett and office manager Susan Williams.
"Our entire staff is knowledgeable and experienced in customer satisfaction and they help us with our continued success."
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