sourcing help...

[John Moore]

Hi everyone,


I really need some help from you folks in here. My uncle just opened up a wine & liquor store in Houston, TX. He has no idea of where he can get a list of wine wholesalers for/in the state.

I know that some of you are/were in the biz so I was hoping you can guide me on where to get this info as he wants to be able to look for wines on his own and not just rely on the wine reps from the previous owner.


Thanks in advance...!

John M.

[Thomas]

If you get online and look for Wines and Vines Magazine's industry directory you should find anything you want.

[Innkeeper]

I'm sure that in a city the size of Houston, there would be a monthy computer printout that shows all the wines available from all the distributors.

Your uncle should just call one of them and ask for it.

[Drew]

I mean no disrespect but how can anyone open a liquor store and not have a list of wine wholesalers for/in the state. Seems like a recipe for disaster. Just my 2 cents.

Drew

[Kcwhippet]

I don't know about TX, but here in MA there's a book sent out every month to all retailers that care to subscribe that's called the Beverage Journal. It also has a web site adjunct. The Journal lists all distributors licensed to do business in MA, as well as all the products they handle. I know the same sort of thing is available in many other states, but I don't know about TX. I suggest your uncle ask one of the ditributors if such a source, or anything like it, exists in TX.

[John Moore]

Thanks for all the help guys...!

Drew, my uncle does not have a deep understanding of the wholesale biz of wines and as mentioned he is looking for other sources than the ones he has continued to be supplied with that serviced the previous owner. All he wants is a list of ALL the sorces for wine in TX.

Thanks again everyone.

[hotwine]

The two largest wholesalers in Texas are Glazer's Distributing Co. and Block Distribution Co. Between them, they probably control 90% of all wholesale wine distribution in the state. I've heard there are a few very small distributors working out of Dallas and Houston, but their business is miniscule compared to the two behemoths. Your uncle should be able to contact the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission directly for a list of authorized wholesalers in the state.

[John Moore]

Hotwine,


Thank you very much as that is exactly the type of information he wants.

Thanks again to all replies from the board.