The Advisor - Issue #34 : simplebooklet.com

How will consumers celebrate this holiday season?With conflict rising in almost every corner of the world, theholidays are a welcome time to reflect with loved ones on howmuch we have to be grateful for.This past year has seen many changes and proposed changes tothe liquor license industry, for both Boston for restaurant ownersand long-time liquor store owners.The landscape for 2024 is shaping up to be very interesting -should you have questions about how this will impact yourpersonal business, we are always a phone call away.We’d like to wish you Happy Holidays from the whole team atLiquor License Advisor! Sincerely, Page 3-4: Listing Your StoreFor The HolidaysPage 6-7: Holiday Gifting:Top Gift Trends For 2023Page 9-10: The Future ofPartying: Will Cannabis-Infused Beverages Spark aNew Kind of “Buzz”? Page 11: ListingsCEO's Note The Most Wonderful Time of The Year...www.LiquorLicenseAdvisor.comTHE ADVISOR MAGAZINE  | 2Founder, CEOLiquor License Advisor®D A N N E W C O M BLiquor License Advisor® hasbeen a trusted resource in theliquor store and licenseindustry since 2002.Looking for NewLiquor StoreListings?CLICK HERE How will consumers celebrate this holiday season?With conflict rising in almost every corner of the world, theholidays are a welcome time to reflect with loved ones on howmuch we have to be grateful for.This past year has seen many changes and proposed changes tothe liquor license industry, for both Boston restaurant owners andlong-time liquor store owners.The landscape for 2024 is shaping up to be very interesting -should you have questions about how this will impact yourpersonal business, we are always a phone call away.We’d like to wish you Happy Holidays from the whole team atLiquor License Advisor! Sincerely, Page 3-4: Listing Your StoreFor The HolidaysPage 6-7: Holiday Gifting:Top Gift Trends For 2023Page 9-10: The Future ofPartying: Will Cannabis-Infused Beverages Spark aNew Kind of “Buzz”? Page 11: ListingsCEO's Note The Most Wonderful Time of The Year...www.LiquorLicenseAdvisor.comTHE ADVISOR MAGAZINE  | 2Founder, CEOLiquor License Advisor®D A N N E W C O M BLiquor License Advisor® hasbeen a trusted resource in theliquor store and licenseindustry since 2002.Looking for NewLiquor StoreListings?CLICK HERE

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a notable 14% rise in overall holiday spendingcompared to the previous year…despite anticipatedhigher costs in food and beverages as a result ofinflation”, and it appears that within the alcoholindustry, wine is the gift that will keep on giving, as“Survey data from Civic Science reveals that asmany as 40% of Americans are likely to buy wine as agift this holiday season”, making the recipients –and liquor stores – happy.The report also notes that premium product saleswill continue to grow, as well as the notion of “self-gifting”, a practice that began during the pandemicand has demonstrated staying power.With consumers feeling generous despite theeconomic climate and holiday celebrations back infull swing, liquor stores should prepare for a busyholiday season – and consider listing their storewhen its attractiveness will be at its peak.Continued“It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” forliquor store owners, as consumers are in fullholiday shopping mode, frequenting their localliquor store for bottles of just about everything forgifting, hosting, and celebrating.Although it may sound counterproductive, if youhave been contemplating selling your liquor store,now is actually an ideal time to do so. Considerthis: when prospective buyers stop by your storeand see the vibrant scene of customers browsingthe well-stocked holiday inventory, pushing cartsfull of bottles and gifting bags, and running in tograb a bottle of wine for that last-minute holidaycelebration, that impression will stay with them asthey consider the possibilities associated withpurchasing your business.Dimensional Insight, a company devoted toconveying data across many categories (includingbeverage analytics), just released a report titled,“What to Expect in Wine & Spirits this HolidaySeason”, which cites Deloitte Insight’s 2023Holiday Retail Survey and how Deloitte “anticipates
THE ADVISOR MAGAZINE  | 3LISTING YOUR STORE FOR THE HOLIDAYSby Dan Newcomb

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Here are Liquor License Advisor’s Top Five Reasons for Listing Your Store Before the New Year: 1. A Busy Store Will Impress Prospective Buyers What better time for a prospective buyer to consider your store than when it’s overflowing withcustomers, who are feeling festive and generous? Even infrequent liquor store shoppers willmake an appearance, as most everyone has someone on their list who can be checked off with asimple bottle. 2. A Store Full of Customers Won’t Show Its Flaws (As Much) If your store is older, needs updating, or perhaps could use a good cleaning, these imperfectionswon’t show as much when your space is crowded. It’s much easier to notice outdated flooringand poor lighting in an empty store. 3. The Premiumization Trend Will Showcase Your Customers As recent industry reports have emphasized, premium product sales continue to rise, and theholiday season promises to follow this trend. Prospective buyers may find themselves impressedwith the caliber and taste of your customer base, as they choose more expensive options tocelebrate and ring in the New Year. 4. Stocked Inventory Promises Sales In preparation for the busiest time of year, liquor store owners stock up on their inventory,ensuring their customers find what they are looking for. Well-stocked inventory suggests a busy,profitable business, which is exactly where prospective buyers want to see themselves. 5. You Will Reap the Financial Benefits of a Busy Holiday Season Even if your store goes under agreement during the holidays, the transaction will not be finalizeduntil well after the last champagne bottle has been uncorked, ensuring that you will profit fromyour hard work and well-deserved earnings made during the end of 2023. If you have been contemplating selling your liquor store, NOW is a great time to contact us to getthe process started. We’re here for you as you ring in – and cash in – the New Year. THE ADVISOR MAGAZINE  | 4LISTING YOR STORE FOR THE HOLIDAYS CONTINUED

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Tequila (accounted for 30% of liquor categorysales in the last 12 months) – Clase AzulReposado Tequila, Don Julio 1942, andCasamigos Blanco. December is here, which means that shoppers areout in full force seeking the perfect holiday gift foreveryone on their list. Alcohol remains a populargo-to gift, but what will consumers purchase thisyear? BevAlcInsights by Drizly has taken theguesswork out for retailers by issuing their 2023Holiday Gift Guide, which provides insight on whatcategories and brands retailers should enhance intheir inventory based on 2023 sales and 2022gifting trends – critical data for businesses tomake the busiest time of year a success. Spirits reached new heights during the 2022holiday season, with bourbon, Scotch whisky, andreposado tequila topping the charts for giftingpurchases; wine (Champagne and red varietals)was a close second. It seems that despite thecurrent economic climate, the holidays still remaina time when consumers splurge more than theymight otherwise, with premium products beinghigh in demand. Drizly’s report encourages retailers to stock up onthe following types of spirits: THE ADVISOR MAGAZINE  | 6Holiday Gifting: Top Gift Trends for 2023 by Michelle HansfordWhiskey (accounted for 28% of all liquor giftsales, with Bourbon and Scotch whisky leading)– Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon, WoodfordReserve Bourbon, Basil Hayden Bourbon, JohnnieWalker Blue Label Whiskey, The Macallan DoubleCask 12 Years Old Whiskey, and Hibiki JapaneseHarmony Whisky. Champagne (accounted for 65% of all wine giftsales) – Veuve Clicquot Brut Yellow LabelChampagne, Dom Perignon Vintage Champagne,Moet & Chandon Imperial Brut Champagne,Perrier-Jouet Belle Epoque Brut Champagne,Perrier Jouet Grand Bruit Champagne, Moet &Chandon Imperial Rose, Perrier Jouet Grand BrutChampagne, and La Marca Prosecco. Red Wine (accounted for 17% of all wine giftorders last year, with Cabernet Sauvignon andPinot Noir atop the list) – The most-gifted redwine is from Napa Valley from producersincluding Caymus, Silver Oak, Stag’s Leap, OpusOne, The Prisoner, Decoy, Orin Swift Cellars, andBelle Glos. Continued

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The Balvenie 16-Year-Old French Oak Single MaltScotch Whisky On The Rocks Effen Vodka Espresso Martini (RTD) Angel’s Envy Straight Bourbon Whiskey PrivateReserve Pahlmeyer Jayson Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Grand Mayan Limited Edition Ultra Añejo Tequila Tapatio Excelencia Tequila Tequila Komos Extra Anejo Tequila Mijenta Reposado Tequila Perrier Jouet Blanc De Blancs Champagne Blanton’s Gold Edition Bourbon As the caliber of the spirits and wine varietals notedabove indicate, the holidays have been, and arepromising to be, a time for purchasing, sharing, andenjoying more “luxury items”. However, retailers shouldconsider all budgets and stock up on items at variousprice-points, especially wine, according to Drizly’sreport, as “All of the top 10 most-gifted items on Drizlypriced under $25 fall into the wine category, and bottleslike La Marca Prosecco, Meiomi Pinot Noir, DecoyCabernet Sauvignon, and Santa Margherita Pinot Grigioare especially likely to wind up in gift bags”. In addition to bestsellers from the past year, the reportalso offers a helpful list of the fastest-growing gifteditems. Adding these to your holiday inventory will keepyou on target with holiday trends: 1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.10. THE ADVISOR MAGAZINE  | 7Holiday Gifting: Top Gift Trends for 2023 Continued

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THE ADVISOR MAGAZINE  | 9It’s widely known that the younger generations aredrinking less alcohol, opting more for no and low-alcohol options than their elders. With health andwellness being at the forefront of this movement,liquor store shelves continue to adorn and multiplythe products available for sober shoppers,including non-alcoholic beer and other cannedbeverages, no and low-alcohol wine, as well as agrowing amount of no and low-alcohol optionswithin the hard liquor category. There’s even a newbottle shop, Dray Drinks, in Boston’s South Endthat features only non-alcoholic beverages,demonstrating a real interest in the sober lifestyle.Retailers are following what’s trending andoffering more non-alcoholic products in theirstores than ever before. However, as the “sober curious” movementcontinues to make headlines and no and lowbeverages rise in popularity, another type ofbeverage is rising in popularity as well: Cannabis-infused beverages, which must be sold in licenseddispensaries (here in Massachusetts). EatingWellcomments on people “sobering up” in their articletitled “Cannabis-Infused Drinks Are Popping UpEverywhere – Are They Safe?“, commenting that,“There is a growing trend – particularly amongyounger consumers – to drink less alcohol orcompletely abstain. Cannabis-infused beverages provide an upbeat wayto experience a social buzz while reducing oravoiding alcohol altogether and also avoiding theaftereffects of feeling hungover the following day”. With consumers wanting to minimize hangovers andavoid the adverse effects that indulging in alcoholcan have, cannabis-infused beverages are gainingpopularity (EatingWell reports that this new market isexpected to reach over $2 billion in annual sales by2026), and the options range from sodas, to seltzers,to juice – even to coffee. With popularity and varietygrowing, will these new products replace alcohol insuch a way that liquor stores will suffer? To Note: There is a difference between THC-infuseddrinks and CBD-infused drinks, as CBD includes the“non-intoxicating compound cannabidiol”, while THCis the main psychoactive chemical in marijuana. It isalso important to note that according to the ABCC,“Even though retail sales of cannabis are expected tobecome lawful starting July 1, 2018, it will remainunlawful to manufacture and/or sell alcoholicbeverages containing any cannabinoid extracts,including tetrahydrocannabinol (“THC”) andcannabidiol (“CBD”), regardless of whether it isderived from the cannabis plant or industrial hemp.)” ContinuedThe Future of Partying:Will Cannabis-Infused Beverages Spark a New Kind of “Buzz”? by Michelle Hansford THE ADVISOR MAGAZINE  | 9It’s widely known that the younger generations aredrinking less alcohol, opting more for no and low-alcohol options than their elders. With health andwellness being at the forefront of this movement,liquor store shelves continue to adorn and multiplythe products available for sober shoppers,including non-alcoholic beer and other cannedbeverages, no and low-alcohol wine, as well as agrowing amount of no and low-alcohol optionswithin the hard liquor category. There’s even a newbottle shop, Dray Drinks, in Boston’s South Endthat features only non-alcoholic beverages,demonstrating a real interest in the sober lifestyle.Retailers are following what’s trending andoffering more non-alcoholic products in theirstores than ever before. However, as the “sober curious” movementcontinues to make headlines and no and lowbeverages rise in popularity, another type ofbeverage is rising in popularity as well: Cannabis-infused beverages, which must be sold in licenseddispensaries (here in Massachusetts). EatingWellcomments on people “sobering up” in their articletitled “Cannabis-Infused Drinks Are Popping UpEverywhere – Are They Safe?“, commenting that,“There is a growing trend – particularly amongyounger consumers – to drink less alcohol orcompletely abstain. Cannabis-infused beverages provide an upbeat wayto experience a social buzz while reducing oravoiding alcohol altogether and also avoiding theaftereffects of feeling hungover the following day”. With consumers wanting to minimize hangovers andavoid the adverse effects that indulging in alcoholcan have, cannabis-infused beverages are gainingpopularity (EatingWell reports that this new market isexpected to reach over $2 billion in annual sales by2026), and the options range from sodas, to seltzers,to juice – even to coffee. With popularity and varietygrowing, will these new products replace alcohol insuch a way that liquor stores will suffer? To Note: There is a difference between THC-infuseddrinks and CBD-infused drinks, as CBD includes the“non-intoxicating compound cannabidiol”, while THCis the main psychoactive chemical in marijuana. It isalso important to note that according to the ABCC,“Even though retail sales of cannabis are expected tobecome lawful starting July 1, 2018, it will remainunlawful to manufacture and/or sell alcoholicbeverages containing any cannabinoid extracts,including tetrahydrocannabinol (“THC”) andcannabidiol (“CBD”), regardless of whether it isderived from the cannabis plant or industrial hemp.)” ContinuedThe Future of Partying:Will Cannabis-Infused Beverages Spark a New Kind of “Buzz”? by Michelle Hansford

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Here's the “buzz” on some of these new productsand how people are skipping the hangover – but notthe fun. The Drinks Business recently issued an article titled,“Are THC-infused drinks becoming mainstream inthe US?”, reporting that, “Drinks infused with thepsychoactive substance THC are now being sold byUS retailer Total Wine & More in Minnesota, asnationwide roll-out could also be planned”, TotalWine being one of the first nationwide firms to sellthese products. But not everyone is on board withthis more “sober approach” to consuming: Someargue that these drinks can be dangerous, especiallyfor teenagers, as there is no federal age requirementon purchasing THC-infused drinks. The EatingWellarticle also questions how safe these THC-infusedbeverages are (and just how “sober” they allow theconsumer to be?), as “Reported side effects ofcannabis-infused drinks include rapid heart rate,dizziness, anxiety, disorganized thoughts, memoryloss and nausea or vomiting” and that “moreresearch is needed to clarify the long-term effects onhuman health”. Despite concerns, THC beverages are taking off: Forexample, Flyers Cocktail Co. has partnered withAtlantic Beverage Distributors to now offer THCcocktails in Massachusetts. Bevnet recentlycommented on this collaboration, stating that it,“signifies a significant step for both companies intapping into the burgeoning demand for hemp-infused drinks in the region”. Gaining popularityduring the pandemic, “Flyers Cocktail Co. provides asense of buzz without the drag of a hangover”, and“their cocktails serve as a sophisticated alternativeto alcohol”. The Future of Partying ContinuedA popular local brewer, Harpoon Brewery,partnered with local Novel Beverage Company,released its first THC-based beverage earlier thisyear, “Rec. Weed”, which contains no alcohol but5mg of THC., “offering a new kind of buzz”,according to the brewery. Although it seems fitting that alcoholic beverageproducers and breweries alike are launching thesetypes of products, how do you feel about coffeejoining the buzz? MassLive released an article thisautumn titled, “Coffee and cannabis cometogether in this cold brew made inMassachusetts”, reporting that The DrinkableCompany began offering Zenith, a cannabis-infused cold brew, last spring, quickly becomingthe company’s most popular product. (TheDrinkable Company also offers smoothies,cocktail mixers, and alcoholic beverages.) Similarto Harpoon’s Rec. Weed, the cans of coffeecontain 5mg of cannabis - - as well as 200mg ofcaffeine. MassLive reported that Mark Mahoney,CEO, founder and president of The DrinkableCompany, stated that, “Zenith is not only analternative for regular coffee drinkers, it’s also agood alternative for alcoholic beverages. Thebenefits of drinking a cannabis-infused drinkinclude not waking up with a hangover and that it’seasier to digest”. The company plans to expand itsofferings and is currently testing products. There is sure to be more feedback, pushback, andsupport for this new movement, as productsbecome more mainstream, more consumerschoose not to indulge in alcohol, and moreinformation becomes available on the aftereffects. Here's the “buzz” on some of these new productsand how people are skipping the hangover – but notthe fun. The Drinks Business recently issued an article titled,“Are THC-infused drinks becoming mainstream inthe US?”, reporting that, “Drinks infused with thepsychoactive substance THC are now being sold byUS retailer Total Wine & More in Minnesota, asnationwide roll-out could also be planned”, TotalWine being one of the first nationwide firms to sellthese products. But not everyone is on board withthis more “sober approach” to consuming: Someargue that these drinks can be dangerous, especiallyfor teenagers, as there is no federal age requirementon purchasing THC-infused drinks. The EatingWellarticle also questions how safe these THC-infusedbeverages are (and just how “sober” they allow theconsumer to be?), as “Reported side effects ofcannabis-infused drinks include rapid heart rate,dizziness, anxiety, disorganized thoughts, memoryloss and nausea or vomiting” and that “moreresearch is needed to clarify the long-term effects onhuman health”. Despite concerns, THC beverages are taking off: Forexample, Flyers Cocktail Co. has partnered withAtlantic Beverage Distributors to now offer THCcocktails in Massachusetts. Bevnet recentlycommented on this collaboration, stating that it,“signifies a significant step for both companies intapping into the burgeoning demand for hemp-infused drinks in the region”. Gaining popularityduring the pandemic, “Flyers Cocktail Co. provides asense of buzz without the drag of a hangover”, and“their cocktails serve as a sophisticated alternativeto alcohol”. The Future of Partying ContinuedA popular local brewer, Harpoon Brewery,partnered with local Novel Beverage Company,released its first THC-based beverage earlier thisyear, “Rec. Weed”, which contains no alcohol but5mg of THC., “offering a new kind of buzz”,according to the brewery. Although it seems fitting that alcoholic beverageproducers and breweries alike are launching thesetypes of products, how do you feel about coffeejoining the buzz? MassLive released an article thisautumn titled, “Coffee and cannabis cometogether in this cold brew made inMassachusetts”, reporting that The DrinkableCompany began offering Zenith, a cannabis-infused cold brew, last spring, quickly becomingthe company’s most popular product. (TheDrinkable Company also offers smoothies,cocktail mixers, and alcoholic beverages.) Similarto Harpoon’s Rec. Weed, the cans of coffeecontain 5mg of cannabis - - as well as 200mg ofcaffeine. MassLive reported that Mark Mahoney,CEO, founder and president of The DrinkableCompany, stated that, “Zenith is not only analternative for regular coffee drinkers, it’s also agood alternative for alcoholic beverages. Thebenefits of drinking a cannabis-infused drinkinclude not waking up with a hangover and that it’seasier to digest”. The company plans to expand itsofferings and is currently testing products. There is sure to be more feedback, pushback, andsupport for this new movement, as productsbecome more mainstream, more consumerschoose not to indulge in alcohol, and moreinformation becomes available on the aftereffects.

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bjerrom@llausa.comS U F F O L K C O U N T Y , M AF U L L A L C O H O L R E T A I L P A C K A G E S T O R ELiquor License is proud to offer, for yourconsideration, the sale of a package storethat holds a full liquor license and is situatedon a main thoroughfare in an urbanneighborhood. The store has enjoyedincreasing sales numbers over the past fewyears, with liquor sales comprising morethan half of the total sales. The store is being offered with realestate and is nestled amongst otherretailers, such as a barber shop, restaurant,and laundry facility, making for a lot of foottraffic. This busy downtown retail spot isalso close to residential neighborhoods,resulting in ideal placement. For thosecustomers not on foot, the store also offerson-street parking, as well as parking in therear of the building. The seller is eager to work with qualifiedbuyers and is ready to move quickly.Don’t miss your opportunity to operate thisstore in a busy, up-and-coming, urbanneighborhood! I N TE R ES TE D? C A LL / TE XT B E N J ER RO M6 1 7. 9 36 .7 1 02Address: Suffolk County, MALocation: Retail Strip MallLicense: Full Alcohol BeveragesRetail License P RO PER TY IN F OR M AT ION :Information is from sources that we deem reliable. No representation is made as to the accuracy of any information provided. Offering issubject to prior sale, lease, or withdrawal without notice or change in prices and conditions.A sk ing P r ic e : $ 2, 100 ,0 0 0( Re al es t at e i n cl u de d)

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References:© Liquor License Advisor 2023, All Rights Reserved Unless Otherwise NotedSpecial Contributions & Acknowledgements:- Features Editor & Editorial Assistant: Michelle Hansford & Kate Newcomb;- Magazine & Digital Editor: Sherri Beauchamp.THE ADVISOR MAGAZINE  | 13Holiday Gifting: Top Gift Trends For 2023 (Page 6-7)1 – BevAlc Insights’ 2023 Holiday Gift Guide by BevAlc Insights Team. (https://bevalcinsights.com/bevalc-insights-2023-holiday-gift-guide-for-retailers/) 1 – New in town: A bottle shop that embraces ‘the wonders of not drinking’ by Diti Kohli Nov. 23, 2023 on Boston Globe (https://www.boston.com/food/food/2023/10/19/orange-wine-boston/)2 - Cannabis-Infused Drinks Are Popping Up Everywhere—Are They Safe? by Christine Fiorentino on April 5, 2023 (https://bevalcinsights.com/bevalc-insights-2023-cabernet-sauvignon-forecast/)3 - ABCC Advisory Regarding Cannabis in Alcoholic Beverages dated May 8, 2018 (https://www.mass.gov/news/abcc-advisory-regarding-cannabis-in-alcoholic-beverages)4 - Are THC-infused drinks becoming mainstream in the US? by James Evison dated Nov. 6, 2023(https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2023/11/are-thc-infused-drinks-becoming-mainstream-in-the-us/)5 - Flyers Cocktail Co. Expands THC Cocktails to Massachusetts with Atlantic Beverage Distributors Press Release onBevnet, dated Nov. 10, 2023.6 - Harpoon Brewery releases ‘Rec. Weed,’ its first THC-based beverage, by Taylor Sanzo of MassLive, dated Feb. 22,2023 (https://www.masslive.com/news/2023/02/harpoon-brewery-releases-rec-weed-its-first-thc-based-beverage.html)7 - Coffee and cannabis come together in this cold brew made in Massachusetts by David Cifarelli on MassLive dated Sept. 29, 2023 (https://www.masslive.com/news/2023/09/coffee-and-cannabis-come-together-in-this-cold-brew-made-in-massachusetts.html)The Future of Partying (9-10)Listing Your Store For The Holidays (Page 3-4)1 – What to Expect in Wine & Spirits this Holiday Season by Trevor Branch, Nov. 14, 2023 of Dimension Insights(https://www.dimins.com/blog/2023/11/14/expect-wine-spirits-this-holiday-season/)

The Advisor - Issue #34

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