After being a “dry town” for over a century, Moorestown Township’s first liquor store is enjoying robust sales in its inaugural six months.
The Super Buy Rite wine and liquor shop held its soft opening on May 3 at Moorestown Mall.
Located at 675 South Lenola Road within the confines of Moorestown Mall, the store is one of several new venues that launched this year to diversify the PREIT-owned mall’s offerings. The liquor shop itself sits on what used to be a former Sears Automotive Center.
On Oct. 15 the shop held its official grand opening to let township residents know it was open for business and ready to become a big part of the community.
“We had so many people in here,” said General Manager Trevor Dunn of last month’s big event as he gave a reporter a tour of the shop on Nov. 26.
It’s a big step from the township’s past. Moorestown was a dry town for much of its history. A ban on liquor sales lasted nearly 80 years after Prohibition ended in 1933.
Resident voters passed a repeal of the ban in a 2011 referendum.
By the looks of it, the township has welcomed its first liquor shop with open arms and reaped its benefits.
“For too long, many residents have taken their business to neighboring towns, and we’re thrilled to now provide this option right here in Moorestown,” township Deputy Mayor Quinton Law said in a statement to Hudson Papers. “We believe this is an exciting step forward that not only keeps dollars in our community but also supports the revitalization of the mall.
“We’re optimistic it will bring more foot traffic to the area, helping to make the mall a vibrant destination for our residents and visitors alike,” added Law.
Store GM Dunn said sales have gone up consistently every month since the early May soft opening.
“We’re doing great. Business is growing each month since we opened and exceeding expectations at the beginning of the holiday season,” said Dunn. “We are seeing a lot of regular customers from the Moorestown area.”
The full-service Super Buy Rite has it all. In the middle of the showroom is a beer-tasting center, with barrels holding up the rounded counter. Next to it is a wine sampling machine with the day’s menu of wines on a mini-chalkboard.
The shelves are lined with a wide selection of competitively priced wines, spirits, and craft beers. The aisles have names like Buy Rite Bubbly and Rite Rose. There’s even a section called “THC Drinks” for cannabis enthusiasts.
“It’s a great, tax-free health center,” joked Marlin Hoskinson, 67, as he carted his seven bottles of Josh wines and two Proseccos to his van last week. “Plus, it’s convenient, just a short drive from my home.”
Hoskinson, a semi-retired design engineer from Delran, New Jersey, said he signed up for Super Buy Rite’s rewards program so he could earn points whenever he makes a purchase.
Dunn said the liquor shop has already hosted several tastings and celebrity signing events, such as the recent one featuring former Philadelphia Eagles DeSean Jackson and LeSean “Shady” McCoy.
Wine tastings and culture events geared toward wine collectors have also been popular at the shop, said Dunn.
“The owners are really interested in carving out a niche, and so we try to be more hands on and really trying to connect with the Moorestown community,” Dunn said.
For instance, he said, Super Buy Rite has partnered with several nonprofits and charity groups to hold events, including Moorestown Community House and the Perkins Center for the Arts, as well as the Katz JCC Community Center in Cherry Hill.
“(The collaborations) show we’re part of the community and not just some fly-by-night guys,” said Dunn. “The owners are from New Jersey. We want to make sure Moorestown people appreciate us and we appreciate them.”
