End of year big business at spirit shop
Jan. 1, 2007
By JOSEPH M. DELEON News-Post Staff
jdeleon@fredericknewspost.com
FREDERICK— For nearly 40 years, John Holmes hasn't been able to relax on the three big holidays at the end of the year: Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Eve.
The 56-year-old has been selling liquor, beer and wine at Ye Old Spirit Shop, 1005 W. Seventh St., since he was 18. His dad bought the store in 1959, and Mr. Holmes took over in 1972.
At first glance, customers might think they stepped into an antique store. The ceiling and walls are covered with hundreds of artifacts, including dozens of toy trucks, rustic farm tools and even a wooden slat guests at the county fair sat on when they had to use the restroom.
While some customers may have alcohol left over from Christmas, on Sunday many others crowded the aisles at the shop known for its wide selection of wines.
December means big business, accounting for more than 15 percent of sales each year, Mr. Holmes said. More than 20 customers roamed the store just after noon while others carried cases of beer and bottles of bubbly out the door.
“It'll be busy tonight, but nothing like the week before Christmas,” Mr. Holmes said. “New Year's is the time when people are just filling in the things they may have used from Christmas; naturally, people will have some stuff left over.”
New Year's Eve is the thirdbusiest day for alcohol sales, behind the days before Christmas and Thanksgiving, Mr. Holmes said. Dec. 31 is often known for the most individual sales of the year, but the purchases are smaller compared to Christmas and Thanksgiving.
“We boost our inventory at least 30 percent in the middle of November,” he said. “And we just keep topping it off every week.”
Splurging for parties
Brian and Mary Ann Harris browsed the wine selection at the shop to prepare for a gathering of about eight friends.
Mr. Harris, 49, said it would be the first time they celebrate New Year's Eve with friends. He often takes his wife of 19 years to spend the last day of the year in Annapolis.
The couple discussed the night's plans while they scanned green-, black- and plum-colored bottles arranged on wooden shelves.
“We always like to try something new,” he said. “We came here because we like the selection and price.”
Ms. Harris, 44, relied on the signs posted in the wine section to help choose a wine.
“We look at the signs for recommendations,” she said. “Which is nice, because we don't know that much about wines.”
After deciding on a bottle of Yellow Tail shiraz, the couple moved to the beer section to get something most of their guests might enjoy. Mr. Harris knows from experience not everyone appreciates the taste of wheat-based heffenwizen, his favorite kind of beer.
All types of beer, wine and liquor sell well this time of the year, Mr. Holmes said, but people tend to splurge on more expensive alcohol during holidays.
Champagne sells best the week before Christmas, followed by New Year's Eve, he said. Flavored liqueurs, such as Grand Marnier and Bailey's Irish Cream, are also holiday favorites.
“There's been a lot of attention on the high-end tequilas, scotches and bourbons,” Mr. Holmes said. “People like to treat themselves during Christmas and New Year's.”
A pint of 25-year-old McAllen's scotch sells for about $400. A bottle of Milagro Romance, a tequila known for its blend of 6-month-old anejo and 18-month-old resposado, sells for $116.
All work and no play
Mr. Holmes normally closes the store at 6 p.m. Sundays, but planned to stay open until 8 p.m. to accommodate any last-minute customers.
“I think by 8 o'clock, people will have what they need,” he said. “It being a Sunday, I don't think it'll be as busy as years past.”
No matter what day of the week a holiday falls on, Mr. Holmes' employees need to be ready to work. If the boss doesn't get a day off, neither do most of his 15 workers.
“People know when they get hired here they need to be available during our busiest time of the year,” he said. “They know they have to be here — I haven't missed a New Year's Eve, Christmas or Thanksgiving in 39 years.”
After work, Mr. Holmes planned to celebrate the new year at a neighbor's house. He doesn't like to be on the road on a holiday associated with drinking.
“In part, it's just my age, but it also comes from the busy time of the year,” he said. “In general, I'm so tired by New Year's Eve that I just want to go home, eat a little bit, drink a little bit and relax.”