Editor’s Word: We’re recognizing our Prime 100 Retailers within the beverage alcohol retail trade from the previous yr, together with Conti’s in Connecticut, and our 2025 Retailer of the Yr, Garfield’s Beverage.
Nick Conti has owned and operated profitable beverage alcohol retail shops all through Connecticut, however till lately, by no means earlier than in his hometown of Southington. Three years in the past, he purchased an current store within the city — which is 20 minutes northwest of Hartford — and rebranded and renovated the enterprise as Conti’s Wines & Spirits. This has turn into his firm’s flagship, a vacation spot spot for whiskey hunters, full with a floor-to-ceiling whiskey barrel that serves as a walk-in vault for allotted bourbons and uncommon retailer picks.
Appropriately for this hometown household enterprise, Nick is now joined at Conti’s by his son, Nick Jr.
“That is our roots,” Nick says. “My household is from right here. That is the place I raised my youngsters. It’s nice to see so many acquainted faces, individuals I grew up with, strolling within the door.”
Nick is thought all through Connecticut as a pioneer in single barrel whiskey picks and working a world-class whiskey program generally. A faithful following frequents his shops, build up factors in a loyalty program that grants entry to uncommon spirits, whereas different clients drive from hours away to Conti’s, which has quickly emerged as a must-visit for bourbon lovers.
Given this large profile that Nick has constructed by many years within the Connecticut alcohol trade, it’s spectacular how shortly his younger son has already made a reputation for himself as nicely.
“The largest tip of the hat that I give to him is that now, when individuals come into the shop and ask for Nick, until I went to highschool with them, they’re really right here searching for my son,” Nick says.
Studying on the job has been important for Nick Jr. “I’ve given practically 1 / 4 of my life to this trade,” he says. “I’ve realized a lot about studying individuals, gross sales, adapting to individuals by having the ability to adapt to individuals’s wants.”
“I’ve realized loads concerning the work ethic wanted, and the again finish of the enterprise,” he provides. “I’ve realized loads about product information, increasing into tequila, wine, gin and now I’m engaged on vodka.”
When Nick bought the shop that will turn into Conti’s, he up to date the retail ground. “We modified the texture of the shop fairly a bit,” he says. “We made it welcoming and heat, contemplating the shop,” which was as soon as a grocery store, noticeable by the tall ceilings that stay.
“The product and class choice is now 20 instances what it was prior to now,” he provides. “We’re following the tendencies of the neighborhood. We’re now ingrained in the neighborhood. We’re all the time making an attempt to point out individuals what’s on the market, encouraging them to strive new merchandise.”
What does the longer term maintain for this enterprise that has gone again to its roots? “We’ll proceed rising our program,” says Nick Jr, “arising with new concepts about ways in which we will do in-store occasions, whereas introducing extra objects throughout completely different classes.”
His father agrees. “We’re excited to assist individuals come out of their consolation zone and belief us sufficient to strive new issues,” Nick says. “We’ve constructed an actual expertise right here with the presence and the personalities of our whole group.”
“There’s an actual enjoyable, household friendship ambiance right here,” Nick provides. “We’ve gone an extended technique to construct the enterprise that method.”
Kyle Swartz is editor of Beverage Dynamics. Attain him at kswartz@epgacceleration.com. Learn his current items, 8 Beverage Alcohol Developments in 2025 and Our 2025 Spirits Progress Manufacturers Awards Winners.
