Cheryl and Mark Butera setting sail from Anchor Spirits & Wines

Jan. 20—Cheryl and Mark Butera did not think they would have such a big impact on the Village of Youngstown when they bought the local liquor store back in 2007. Nor when they joined the Youngstown Business Professionals Association a few years later.

They ended up taking the ball and running with it.

The longtime fixtures in Youngstown through their work on the YBPA and owners of Anchor Spirits & Wines announced their retirement earlier this month. They have stepped down from their roles with the YBPA and put the liquor store and all its contents up for sale.

"It's time to step down and sell the store," Cheryl said, who has been president for the past 13 years. Mark has been secretary for that same amount of time.

Member Maggie Steyn reportedly took the role of interim secretary.

The building holding Anchor Spirits & Wines was originally a post office dating back to the 1940s, with some remnants of its postal facade inside. It became a liquor store in 1973 and has remained that way since.

Both Cheryl and Mark had long careers before taking over the store. Cheryl had worked for the Niagara County Department of Mental Health for 28 years and Mark was in the hotel business for 26 years.

As Cheryl was preparing to leave the Department of Mental Health, Mark saw that the liquor store was for sale. The first thing Cheryl told him was she did not know how to run a business.

"We came to this store and fell in love with it," Cheryl said. "The only place we would ever own a liquor store would be in Youngstown."

The Buteras have been part of the YBPA since they bought the store. In 2010, they were nominated for the roles of president and secretary, with the board not objecting to them being married.

"It makes sense our way of contributing back was serving," Cheryl said, given they chose to live and do business in Youngstown.

In her time as President, Cheryl has grown membership from around 20 members to nearly 80 today. She also helped start two annual traditions for the village, the St. Patrick's Day Parade remembering former mayor Neil Riordan, and the Street Dance held at the beginning of summer.

They have also been instrumental in receiving grants through the William G. Mayne Jr. Business/Community Enhancement Program, which has paid for group brochures, village enhancements like benches and flags, the group's website, and for honoring businesses of the year.

Ever since the COVID pandemic, the Buteras lost the other employees they had working for them, one during the pandemic who did not feel comfortable working there and the other part-time worker last year.

They intend for whoever buys the store to keep it as is, with the inquiries they received so far doing so. It is regarded as a lifestyle business where customers want to see the owner in the store.

They will still be in Youngstown and serve other roles with the YBPA, but they also bought a recreational vehicle in 2019 and have not gotten a chance to use it.

"It's time to hit the road to visit family and friends who would love to see us," Cheryl said.

With the long-anticipated Griffon restaurant and brewery location planned to open at 200 Lockport St., just down the road from the liquor store, she sees it as a potential renaissance in the village with new people drawn to it and other potential new businesses opening.

The Buteras still plan on helping the new board members transition into their roles and show whoever buys the liquor store all the ins and outs of it.

The YBPA has sent out letters to its members looking for people to step up and be an officer. Prospective officers have to a business owner that contributed their time and ability to the community and be a member of good standing for the past two years.

Officer elections will take place later this month. The swearing-in ceremony will be April 9.