CRYSTAL LAKE – One of Crystal Lake's family-operated liquor stores has shut its doors.
But the former home of Teddy's Liquors off Route 14 just west of Main Street is already experiencing some activity, said Michelle Rentzsch, the city's community development director.
The store closed in October, which was one of a series of closures in Arlington Heights and Palatine as the business consolidated into one location at 1050 E. Rand Road in Arlington Heights, said John Karavidas, a member of the family who operates Teddy's Liquors.
The reason behind the closure is more personal than economic, he said.
The industry is seeing changes, however, as Garfield's Beverage Warehouse looks to move into the former Aldi's grocery store at 320 S. Virginia St. This is a larger space where the business plans on expanding its offerings of all the craft beer, wine and hard liquor fronts, and operating a bar area where customers can try out products before they buy them.
It's an idea pioneered by places such as Target and Mariano's grocery stores and being considered and tried by smaller independent liquor stores such as Sam Shah's.
Shah, the owner of Sam's Liquors and Wines in McHenry, is in the process of looking for a bigger space where he could do something along the lines of what Garfield's has proposed, he said.
"It's always a competition. They'll sell at cost sometimes," Shah said of the larger stores.
Shah's store features a varied selection of craft beers and boutique liquors where the options have grown rapidly, although he expects the industry to level out eventually.
The addition of a bar at Garfield's in Crystal Lake is designed to help customers navigate the growing options, letting them try something new before committing to a whole six pack or a full bottle.
The store currently offers monthly wine tastings, but the move will allow it to expand this opportunity to beer and liquor.
Rentzsch said she expects the move to be successful, but she thinks there still is room for the more traditional liquor store.