Shop at Libations. Locally Aggie owned and operated.

Whiskey Charlie: Has Spec's offered to buy you out yet?

No...They wanted JJ's wholesale primarily. JJ's has had a firm hold on the wholesale market here in town forever.

I love when capitalism works.

Congrats JJ

So I'm guessing they'll kep the package stores open on Rock Prairie and in Bryan so as not to lose business to Whiskey Charlies and Western Beverages, but they're instantly capturing (or likely capturing) most of the distributorship for bars and restaurants?

I'd imagine most folks will still continue to shop at their nearest package store rather than always making the trek to Spec's...

My only real question is: will this increase drink prices at bars/restaurants on Northgate and elsewhere where JJ's currently supplies?

Whiskey Charlie,
Where is your store? I'd really rather support a local guy.

Also, the JJ's location in Bryan is in pretty sad shape and Specs should probably close it. It's even more sad at the first of the month when the customers are buying multiple pints at a time with wads of $100 bills, not so much later in the month though.

I wish all the best to JJ, Luke and Family. It has been a pleasure doing business with them and I owe them big thanks for helping making Shipwreck a success!

Best of Luck!


Sponsor Message: Shipwreck Grill

quote:

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The other two J.J.'s locations -- on Texas Avenue in Bryan and on Rock Prairie Road in College Station -- will remain open for now.

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BOOM

So when a family business succeeds and gets bigger all of a sudden it becomes big evil corporate America. Just say no to Music Town.

Specs is based in Houston. That's still pretty local. When I shop there everyone is very helpful, and knowledgeable. Not only that but they don't seem to be following the under staffing trend that follows with stores that size. I never have to wait to check out, or even to ask a question.

JJ, congratulations on running your business well. You survived an enormous competitor moving in across the street, so well in fact, that they came back with another offer. I hope you got the deal you wanted.

The only thing I am sad about is that it removes competition from the market.

JJ's was the only place I would go to. Liked the friendly people and was good about questions. Tried Specs once and was almost trampled my college kids, couldn't find any one to answer questions.

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momtaxi

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I am guessing package store means the same as liquor store? I've just never heard that term.

Maybe it's capitalism, but growing your business to a point that you can sell it and make a profit, well that's what it's all about.

It would take someone like Spec's or Twin Liquor to be able to buy out JJ's, esp. the wholesale side... not some small guy just starting out. It could have easily been Twin Liquor... It was an easy purchase for Specs to cut out Twin in the local market (for now)!

Congrats JJ for the many years!

To my knowledge, there are no "contracts" between the bars and JJ's.

I hope Whiskey Charlie's is knocking on the bar-owner's doors this week. I dont dislike Spec's, but I certainly don't think JJ's had plans of selling to a large competitor, before they moved to town. The myth of large corporations supplying jobs is again shown.. JJ's goes to a corporate competitor, they give those jobs that were already here to the employees, and the profits go to the home office, elsewhere.

I'd like to keep a more money in the community, so l'm going to Whiskey Charlie's.

quote: To my knowledge, there are no "contracts" between the bars and JJ's.

What in the world does this mean? Do you know something about the TABC that noone else does?

Cstrickland05

Package Store is an older term for liquor store. Don't know the origin, but I know I have heard it all my life --half century or so

I was saying that Whiskey Charlies can sell to the bars, and the bars aren't locked into buying from JJ's. While restaurants seem to be trending corporate, bars aren't, and can still buy locally, if they choose.

Libations is another great local place, that you guys should check out!

Liquor stores are also known as “package stores” because purchased liquor must be packaged in a sealed container or bag when it is taken from the store.

[This message has been edited by bobolo (edited 11/3/2010 10:15p).]

I am sure JJ has a story to tell. It would be interesting to hear from him how it all got started. I know his family comes from way way back in Brazos County. Like one of the founding families. Was his family in liquor? Maybe they were in the prohibition age? Maybe they were in the grocery market back in the 1800's or something. Their family I think have always been successful. I wish I knew more about how they got started. I see this buyout happens all the time. Happens to banks, grocers, builders, cleaners, gas stations. I think at some point it just makes sense as a small business owner. I am sure it was for several million (guessing). YO. I wish them the best.

SAW: You can find our locations on our website (trying to stay ambiguous so my reply doesn't get deleted).
There are no contracts between bars and package stores, and yes Cmac, we are letting the bars and restaurants know that they still have a choice to do business with a locally owned and operated liquor store.

I believe their locations are the Kroger complex at SW Parkway, one near Bryan High on Villa Maria (?) and a future location at Tower Pointe.

"To my knowledge, there are no "contracts" between the bars and JJ's.

I hope Whiskey Charlie's is knocking on the bar-owner's doors this week. I dont dislike Spec's, but I certainly don't think JJ's had plans of selling to a large competitor, before they moved to town. The myth of large corporations supplying jobs is again shown.. JJ's goes to a corporate competitor, they give those jobs that were already here to the employees, and the profits go to the home office, elsewhere.

I'd like to keep a more money in the community, so l'm going to Whiskey Charlie's. "

Not bashing you but, Charlie, I certainly hope you buy everything locally including vehicles, restaurant supplies, electricity, insurance, etc. and also no internet sales.

quote:

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Not bashing you but, Charlie, I certainly hope you buy everything locally including vehicles, restaurant supplies, electricity, insurance, etc. and also no internet sales.

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Biggy, I don't think that is bashing at all. I certainly understand your point. Our families live in this community and we spend our money in this community. So any profit the business makes is fed back into B/CS...plus we try hard to give to charity to support local causes.

I do try. I didn't understand the impacts quite as much as I do now. JJ's business and family means alot to my family, and I may be a little sentimental on this one.

Quote:
I am sure JJ has a story to tell. It would be interesting to hear from him how it all got started. I know his family comes from way way back in Brazos County. Like one of the founding families. Was his family in liquor? Maybe they were in the prohibition age? Maybe they were in the grocery market back in the 1800's or something. Their family I think have always been successful. I wish I knew more about how they got started. I see this buyout happens all the time. Happens to banks, grocers, builders, cleaners, gas stations. I think at some point it just makes sense as a small business owner. I am sure it was for several million (guessing). YO. I wish them the best.

_______________________________________________
Thank you for your kind words JJ wanted me to post this

My Great Grandfather, Luciano Ruffino, immigrated to this country from Corleone, Sicily with his family in the year 1900. They came thru the port of New Orleans with promises of work in the sugar cane fields. Upon arrival, much to their dismay, there was no work available. Hearing of the rich farm land in the Brazos Bottom, resembling that of Sicily, he moved his family to Bryan, Texas. The family settled in North Bryan on the Cameron Ranch. Mr. Cameron gave many of the Italian immigrants the opportunity to "share crop" his land. Today, there are several 2nd and 3rd generation Italians who own property in the Tabor Road area.
Many years later my Grandfather Joe, my namesake, worked jobs including a "Mom and Pop" grocery store. In his final days he was employed by Lilly Farm Dairy were he worked in production.
My parents Luke and Josephine "Jobey" continued the tradition by opening there first grocery store on North Bryan Street in 1951. They eventually sold the store, where I grew up, on North Texas Avenue to the 7-11 Corporation in 1968.
From there my Dad and my Uncle Johnny Lampo went into the food business.
The family owned and operated The Farmers Market and Tejas Cafés. By the end of 1991 they sold all of their food interest including 22 Pizza Huts to Pepsi Co.
While all of that was going Cherry and I were married and having our babies, Antoinette "Toni", Luke, and Joe, Jr. "Joey".
After Bryan was voted "wet" in the fall of 1972 my parents loaned Cherry and I the seed money to open our first store in North Bryan which was literally across the street from their 2nd of three grocery stores.
In 1983 we purchased our second store at 1600 Texas Avenue in College Station. That is when we began our wholesale distribution to clubs and restaurants.
All was going well for us until we opened our third location in the Lone Star Center next to Best Buy in 1997. That tuned out to be our most regrettable decision in our 38 year history in the business.
Then in the year 2000, while still paying rent on the now closed location at Lone Star, we took a leap of faith and opened the store in the Kroger Shopping Center on Longmire and Rock Prairie.
Through the years we have employed hundreds of young men and woman while they were attending TAMU. I am most grateful to two very special people that have been with me the longest; Clay Dozier (27 years) and Sandi Ostman
(25 years). Without them I would have no doubt failed.
I would be remiss in not thanking my son Luke who has worked with me since he was 13 years old, my nephew Patrick Connaughton (7 years), and Jarod Staude (8 years).
I appreciate all of my friends and customers who were have been so loyal through the years especially recently.
Finally, thanks to Cherry my wife for her patience and 38 years of loving me and believing in me.
It has been a great experience! Thanks for the memories.
JJ Ruffino `73

Good story. Thanks for posting that Katie.

I'd just like to remind those who are saying that they'd rather "buy local", that the employees who worked for JJ are still going to be working for Specs, but if people dismiss shopping at the the new Specs, simply because they are a family business out of Houston, instead of BCS, then there is a good chance that those stores will be closed and those employees, who didn't have any say in the business being sold to begin with, will be out of a job.

JJ himself says he wasn't forced out, I think he made a good business decision. I would hope that if I worked a business for almost 40 years, I'd be allowed to sell it and have a nice nestegg for my retirement/second career.

Valid points TKDmom..

Hey Katie - Thank you so much for the story.

Thanks for taking the time to share some family history with us, JJ. I found it very interesting. Entrepreneurship is clearly part of your heritage. Bryan/College Station is better because you chose to raise your family and to start your businesses here.

The jobs you provided were important, the customers you served are appreciative, and the examples you have set for the rest of us - and mentoring you did to those who worked closely with you - have been invaluable.

You've earned the right to enjoy whatever you have harvested. I hope it is a rich bounty and that you are extremely happy doing whatever you decide to do with your life. Congratulations again.
-Jim Lewis

Been many years since I was a regular customer of JJ's, but always appreciated the friendly customer service. I hope this deal worked out very well for him.

Spec's is a family-owned business, far from WalMart. The one time I ever emailed them with a complaint, I had a reply within minutes from an executive. When they purchased my old neighborhood liquor store, the only thing that changed was I got the Spec's discount. Kept all the employees. I think JJ will mostly be happy with the standard of customer service they hold.

Best of luck JJ, and thanks for many good (and some quite silly) memories associated with your store over the years.

*And thanks for the family history. Very similar to my dad's family.

[This message has been edited by Aggro (edited 11/4/2010 4:02p).]

Thanks for this history!

Thanks for posting that, JJ!