EAST LONGMEADOW – On July 3, Heritage Plaza Liquors, located at 446 North Main St., officially opened.

“We have a wide range of selections in wine, liquor and beer,” said owner Monil Patel. “We have Bourbon, Scotch, Irish, Canadian, regular and American whiskey. In wine, we have French, Italian, South American, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Pinot Grigio, cooking wine and box wine. We have domestic, stout, imported and crafted beer. We also carry cigarettes, some wraps and a lottery.”

Heritage Plaza Liquors is Patel’s third store. He already owns two liquor stores in Massachusetts, Quabbin Plaza Liquors on 578 Summer St. in Barre and Phillipston Liquor and Variety on 325 State Rd. in Phillipston. Patel had his start in the liquor industry in 2009 at his first job working at a gas station in Spencer with beer and wine. From working at that job, Patel said he knew he wanted to go into business himself.

Patel knew a broker through the industry that presented an opportunity in East Longmeadow to him. Patel referenced the former Beer Shop that was once located behind the Big Y Plaza, that was up for sale. The broker emailed Patel the listing of that business, however Patel shared he didn’t like that the business was tucked in behind Big Y.

Patel explained that he looked at other locations in town, and saw that Olympia Sports – the store that was previously located at 446 Main St. – was listed for rent. He explained to Reminder Publishing that he thought it would be the best location for a liquor store, and contacted the broker for Olympia Sports’ listing agent. Then Patel spoke with his business broker, bought the business and moved it to the North Main Street location.

“It took me almost a year and a half because it was a lot of negotiating,” Patel said. “It took me about four months to negotiate everything the way I want it.” He continued, “I want this store to be a profitable business along with serving the community with wider selection and better prices. This location is very convenient for customers. It's a one-stop shop where they can go to Stop & Shop, Dollar Tree, Petco and buy their liquor at the same time.”

This year, Patel plans on hosting many wine testing as a way to help customers understand what they’re buying. He hopes by the end of August or early September he can starting hosting wine tasting events every week where customers can try wines before buying.

For more information call 224-1350, email heritageplazaliquor@gmail.com or visit heritageplazaliquors.com. The store is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m.- 9 p.m. and 10 a.m.- 8 p.m. on Sundays.