At Upstate Wine and Liquor, “selection, service, price” is the name of the game.
“That’s what we try to focus on,” said owner Todd Yutzler.
Known as Delaware Plaza Wine and Liquor until a recent name change, the store has been a one-stop-shop for all your spirit needs for 45 years. In fact, it’s the most established store in the plaza, despite moving three times (it started out where Bruegger’s now stands) and switching owners once.
“We were looking into the 21st Century and we wanted to distinguish ourselves from other places and thought ‘Upstate’ was what we’re all about,” said Yutzler of the name change.
Yutzler said his store stands apart from other liquor stores in the area for a few simple reasons.
“The selection I think is unique. We have a lot of different liquors and stuff that normal wine and liquor stores wouldn’t carry, whether it’s high-end cognac, a great selection of scotches, bourbons,” said Yutzler. “We just have a vast array of different things that people come to us to find these things. … We pretty much try to stay on top of things.”
Staying on top of things means everything from carrying wine from Lebanon — “Who would think Lebanon actually had wine?” said Yutzler — to making sure employees are connoisseurs themselves.
“We’ve got a lot of longtime employees and thank God we don’t have a big turnover,” said Yutzler. “They enjoy this job, it’s fun, customers are great and we have a lot of regular customers that come in, so I think that has a lot to do with it.”
Besides a sought after selection, discounts like 10 percent off six bottles of wine or 15 percent off 12 bottles of wine and events like free Saturday wine tastings from 2 to 6 p.m. are a draw.
“A lot of customers come in every Saturday to try new things,” said Yutzler.
Yutzler has big plans for the future. The store is being revamped, getting new flooring, ceiling and wine racks. A website, www.upstatewine.com, is also under construction and he’ll be introducing a rewards program for frequent buyers.
“When (customers) purchase we use their card and then we’ll be able to track what they purchase and they’ll get rewards after a certain amount of points earned, “said Yutzler.
A 45th birthday celebration is also in the works. Though a date hasn’t been set, Yutzler wants to make it community oriented, just like his store.
“Probably just a big tasting with hors d’oeuvres supporting local restaurants,” said Yutzler.
Being part of the community is important, said Yutzler, because that’s what keeps him in business. He’s “very involved” with buy local campaigns and the Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce. For the past five years, he’s donated wine and been a corporate sponsor for A Taste of Albany. Next month, he’ll be volunteering at the farmers market in town and he frequently donates to local charities or fundraisers.
“Most of our customers are local people so … you’ve got to give back to the community,” said Yutzler.
