By Joshua Bassett
Lori Linendoll, a co-owner of The Beverage Warehouse, walked through the building, stepping around paint canisters and construction equipment.
Linendoll described the beverage store layout, noting that when someone walks in they will see the check-out counter on the left, with tobacco products, and a “beer cave” to the right that will have 12 coolers for cold beer. There is a redemption center in the back.
There will be a spot for an ice machine and a place for non-alcoholic drinks such as water or soda, too, she said. Co-owner Jennifer Saunders said that at first they will have four taps set up, but they might add more.
Saunders said that Linendoll’s husband, David, who owns American Hardware, was approached about opening a business in the Village Plaza by the plaza owners and they got the idea to open their beverage center, after visiting other beverage centers and thinking, “it seems fun, like it’s always busy.”
Linendoll is a guidance secretary for the Salem Central School District and Saunders is a nursery school teacher.
One of Linendoll’s hopes is to “just offer something local,” adding that if someone picks up something at their store then maybe they’ll pick up something else in town instead of driving out to Queensbury or Rutland, Vt.
The owners both said they like the local community and want to keep things local, with Linendoll saying that her husband has been telling her for years just how great the local community is.
“We really both just want to contribute to that community,” said Saunders. “It has the feeling of a small town, but really has a lot going on.”
Both said it is their first business and they intend to have a soft opening soon, before opening officially near Memorial Day.
“It’s very, very exciting,” said Saunders, adding that they cannot wait to open so “we can all breathe a collective sigh of relief.”