Dick’s Liquor has purchased Wine Time down the street and is remodeling it with plans to reopen Dec. 1.
South Korean-native Kay Chae, previous owner of Wine Time at 7474 Pearl St., has retired and sold his business to Adam Barno, owner of Dick’s Liquor at 737 Pearl St. since 2003.
“We’re going to keep Dick’s Liquor and take over the Wine Time site with its deli,” said Barno, who added his new location will allow him “to provide alcohol and anything you need — beer, wine mixers, cheese plates, even cups — for an event, a party or gathering.”
Barno said work is underway to install new floors and shelving in Wine Time in preparation for a Sunday, Dec. 1 grand opening.
“Mostly we’re going to really expand,” said Barno of the reason behind acquiring Wine Time. “He had a great wine selection, and we’re going to expand that with spirits and beer. We’ll have a larger selection of tequilas and single-malt Scotches.”
Barno noted he plans to add a humidor and a big selection of cigars at Wine Time benefiting both local and out-of-town guests.
“I love La Jolla and La Jolla has been good to us,” said Barno noting Dick’s Liquor, which he’s owned for 16 years, has been in existence since 1952.
“It’s always been a liquor store,” Barno said. “It was started by Dick Dickson, who was a fire chief at one point. He had a deli inside this store and had wine tastings and catered to parties up on the hill.”
Barno noted combining both Dick’s Liquor and Wine Time will allow customers to shop locally without having to “drive off to the big chains. We’d like to do volume on smaller margins. We’re not trying to have bottles on the shelves for 10 years. We want to turn things over.”
Added Barno, “We are going to have specials for our grand opening.”
Barno is also seeking a third location to expand into later somewhere in the La Jolla area.