|
 Singh
purchased the former Gordmans store at 1308 Woodlawn last fall. He
spent quite a bit of time revamping the store, adding a partition so
that there is one smaller retail space available between Beverage
Genie and the Dollar Tree that he hopes to lease out to another
small business in the future.
He redid the interior of the retail area he would occupy, brought in
coolers and shelving and counter space, then began stocking his
store with more than 10,000 varieties of product.
Singh opened his retail package liquor store in December, though he
was not yet as ready as he wanted to be. He reported that there were
supply issues and other complications that had to be worked out, but
at last this past weekend he was in a good place, where he felt
comfortable hosting a large grand opening event complete with the
ribbon cut.
Singh hails from Decatur and has been involved in the package liquor
business for the past 16 years. In an interview with LDN earlier
this month he said that he has opened three stores before Lincoln,
two in Decatur and one in Mt. Zion. He said that he purchased his
first store, and he enjoyed the business and found it to be a good
fit for what he wanted to do in his career. The next two, he built.
Singh has three brothers, and each of the three are running one of
the stores. Singh will be running the Lincoln Store.
Singh said he has enjoyed coming to Lincoln. He wants to become a
part of the community and is on the lookout for more ways to become
involved with the community. He said that he has enjoyed getting to
know the folks who have come in thus far and is looking forward to
getting to know even more about the people and the town.
At the store, Singh says that he plans to have tastings from time to
time, sponsored by his beverage providers, and he is also going to
be hosting tasting classes for wines.
He said there is a technique and a learning process to discovering
the specific notes in a good wine, and those who take the classes
come to appreciate their favorites even more, and sometimes discover
new favorites.
Singh said that his favorite beverage is a good
bourbon, and he has an entire wall of brands for shoppers to peruse.
He’s also excited about a very special bourbon that he is offering
exclusively in his store.
He explained that one of his purveyors offers an
opportunity to visit the distillery and actually choose a large oak
barrel of their best bourbon. It is then bottled with the retailer’s
store name, but also the name that retailer gives the beverage.
Singh chose his barrel and named his drink “Run for the Roses,” in
honor of one of Kentucky’s biggest events, the Kentucky Derby.
When the bourbon is bottled, the retailer gets all the bottles PLUS
the barrel where the beverage was aged.
Both the barrel and the Beverage Genie Run for the
Roses Bourbon are front and center when shoppers walk in the store.
Singh says he wants the new store in Lincoln to be
not just a package liquor, but a shopping experience. With lots of
square footage beverages are displayed in wide aisles.
[to top of second column] |
There are also plenty of visuals to help lead
shoppers to their favorite products, like the three-dimensional
Admiral Nelson, and the lovely lady representing Jose Cuervo.
On Saturday in addition to many family members and friends, there
were three of the Beverage Genie distributors on hand for the grand
opening. Breakthrough Beverages, Pure Wine and Southern Wine and
Spirits were all on hand with tasting tables set up for shoppers.
Around the building there were a number of prize
items on display that will be given away via prize drawings. Those
high-end gifts included a special display case by Coors, Layman Jack
chair, Keystone Light large cooler, two different grills, wood
cooler from Wild Turkey, a Maker’s Mark Chair and more.
Saturday Alderman Kevin Bateman was on hand for the
ribbon cutting to represent the city of Lincoln. He welcomed Singh to
the community and said that he had visited the store for the first
time the day it opened back in December. He wished Singh the best of
luck and thanked him for his investment and commitment to Lincoln.
Singh spoke before snipping the ribbon saying he was
appreciative of the reception he’s gotten in Lincoln. He thanked all
those who were a part of opening the business and thanked all those
who had come for the ribbon cutting.
When the speeches were completed, there was a time
for posed pictures then the cutting of the ribbon at the end of the
three-two-one-snip countdown.
Beverage Genie is located at 1308 Woodlawn Road in Lincoln. The
store hours are Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and 11
a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday. The business is also accessible through
door dash for those who wish to have the product delivered.
The store sells a wide variety of beverages, drip mixes, serving
accessories and also offers a cigar humidor.
[Nila Smith]
 |
