Red Bank’s oldest liquor store has moved into a new and bigger location across the street after its former storefront location was targeted to be demolished to clear the way for a new apartment complex on Dayton Boulevard.
Jay Patel and his wife Shaku first opened a tobacco shop near the former Save A Lot grocery store in 2004. A decade later the store became one of the first to sell liquor in Red Bank when state and local ordinances governing alcohol sales were changed in the city.
Patel said his store, known as My Discount Liquor, Wine and Tobacco, has found success in Red Bank as one of the few liquor outlets in that part of Red Bank.
“Red Bank is a family-friendly, nice neighborhood,” Patel said in an announcement of his new store. “The people of Red Bank are loving and caring people.”
(READ MORE: Red Bank commissioners approve tax rate increase of 52%)
Patel said the people of Red Bank “have accepted us as one of them and always give us the opportunity to serve them” even though the Patels have an accent and do not look exactly like most of the local residents.
“They will tell us if we need to change or do something differently — like what family and friends do,” Patel said in a telephone interview.
Last year, Rise Partners bought the Save A Lot shopping center where the liquor and tobacco store was located in order to build more housing. So the Patels began looking for a new location.
“We wanted to stay in that same part of Red Bank, if we could, because we didn’t want to lose all of the customer goodwill we had built up over the years,” Patel said. “So far, it is working well for us in keeping our old clientele and in attracting new customers from Red Bank but also nearby areas of Chattanooga and Signal Mountain.”
(READ MORE: Red Bank approves multiuse development at former Save A Lot site)
Patel acquired a former car wash across from the Red Bank McDonald’s for his new store and has spent about $600,000 to buy and build the new storefront.
The new location at 2004 Dayton Blvd. includes 2,825 square feet, or more than 50% bigger than the size of their original store.
“We have 15 different walk-in coolers and a lot more products to offer now,” Patel said.
Contact Dave Flessner at dflessner@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6340.
