Mix drinks and conversation at Town & Country Wine & Liquors

Michelle Warren, The Chronicle, Willimantic, Conn.
·2 min read

Nov. 8—WINDHAM — Ed Theriault enjoys engaging in conversation with his customers at Town and Country Wines and Liquors.

" You don't do that at a grocery store," he said.

Theriault has owned the business, which is at 685 Windham Road in South Windham, since June 1997.

He grew up in Willimantic and graduated from Eastern Connecticut State University in 1994 with a bachelor's degree in business management.

Before owning his business, Theriault worked part time at a package store during college.

A few years after graduating, Town & Country Wines & Liquors went up for sale and he purchased it.

" I enjoy doing this for a living," Theriault said. " I enjoy learning about the new products and whatnot."

Theriault has a few employees working at his business, which is on Route 32, in the same plaza as Apollo Pizza.

Theriault said his family and his wife's family are in the area so they never really had the desire to branch out and chose instead to stay in the area.

The store sells high- end bourbons and has a selection of beer that is constantly changing.

There is also a large selection of vodka, as well as other liquor.

" Sales reps come in every week, so we're constantly revolving the inventory," Theriault said.

He said it is challenging to try to fit the " expanding product lines" into the square footage of the store.

Naming an example, Theriault said 20 years ago, there were limited flavors of vodka. Now, however, he said there are so many flavors that he could fill a wall with them.

Theriault said the store has a " fair share" of local products, including liquor from Westford Hill Distillers in Ashford and beer from Outer Light Brewing Co. in Groton and Powder Hollow Brewery in Enfield.

" Customers tend to like it," he said, referring to the support of local products.

The store is open from 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

The business can be reached at 860-450-0460.

More information about the store is available on its Facebook page.

Follow Michelle Warren on Twitter — @mwarrentc.

Town & Country Wines & Liquors

Address: 685 Windham Road, South Windham Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Friday; 8 a.m. to 9 Saturday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday

Information: 860-450-0460