Duke's Liquor Store located on 4493 Marine Avenue has been a cold beer, wine and spirits go-to spot for more than a decade in the qathet region.
The centrally located bottle shop offers a wide-range of beverages to its thirsty customers, including BC wine, craft beer, spirits and spritzers, with weekly deals and specials, and tastings every Friday evening.
Manager Davita Baker specializes in wines, but is always learning about trending new products that might strike a customer's taste buds in a delicious way.
"We're always trying to have the best new products and also what people want," explains Baker. "I'm always doing research and talking to customers about what they like."
BC wines are some of Baker’s favourite, such as Arrowleaf Cellars from the Okanagan.
"People like to shop locally, so BC wines are definitely our biggest wine category these days," says Baker. "However, we do have our higher-end wines that are carefully selected by wine critics who rate them."
Duke's has a wall dedicated to 90-plus point wines, but also a plethora of budget-friendly international and Canadian options.
"Many folks are interested in our newest cooler type drinks," adds Baker. "So we always have a contest going on, with new drinks, especially in the summertime. We also do tastings on Friday nights, usually for coolers and whatever is new, so people can come in and try them."
Duke's partner Benz Gillani says the business has changed products dramatically over the years and continues to change based on customers' tastes. Hoppy craft beers, low sugar spritzers and tasty canned cocktails are in demand.
"We'll carry the basics, but we specialize in carrying products that our customers want," adds Gillani. "Whenever a new product comes out, like, for example, Nude, we started to carry that; we bring it in, we see how our customers like it and then we go from there."
As for very local products, folks can head to the front of the store, near the cash register, to find Salish Sea Spirits, made and distilled here in qathet. In the beer fridge at Duke's, Townsite Brewing has its lager, IPA, pale ale and many seasonal beers ready to go.
"We have over 100 products on sale every month," says Gillani. "Our customer service is second to none, and our store is very welcoming. It's big and well designed with reclaimed lumber from the mill that used to be here."
