Town's First Liquor Store Not Expected to Drown Neighboring Competition

Barrington’s first liquor store opened its doors for business today, Dec. 30, just in time for New Year’s Eve shoppers.

It's the first for the historically "dry" town. After council members passed an ordinance to allow the purchase of alcohol last year, entrepreneurs began working to capitalize. 

Brickyard Wine & Spirits is located at 1 Waseca Ave., in Barrington, the former Bruegger’s Bagels shop off of County Road.

With that opening comes speculation of how the new store might impact alcohol sales at stores in nearby towns like East Providence, Seekonk and Warren, where locals had to drive to in the past to get wine, beer and liquor. In Seekonk, off Mink Street and on Highland Avenue were among those just a short drive away.

But the news of neighboring competition isn't rattling some area residents who make their bread and butter off liquor.

Barrington resident Jim Bartel said businesses won't see a dip in sales. A wine seller at East Providence's McGreen's Wine & Spirits, he said the business is well established and an affordable place to find liquor cabinet fixings.

"Everyone thinks that Barrington is a wealthy community but people there are acutely aware of the resale value," Bartel said.

He also said the liquor business is extremely hard to break into; the challenge lies in being able to buy enough bulk to lower prices for consumers.

Barrington resident Rachel Lally is ones of the loyal ones. She doesn't anticipate going anywhere else but McGreen's to buy her alcohol - even if a new Barrington business is a shorter car ride away.

"My heart is here," she said, while perusing the aisles. 

The owner of Barrington's new store admits it won't be perfect to start.

Giovanni Cicione, his store manager, Glenn Tiberius; and several family members, including his father-in-law and daughter, Marisa, have been scurrying to fill shelves with wine and spirits all week.

Cicione said the last hurdle has been the labeling of each bottle in the store for inventory control.

The store will not be in finished shape when it opens its doors. And it needs to have its signage approved by the town.

“But we’ll be open," Cicione said. "Look for the signs in the windows.”