Gillespie County Alcohol Sales

Top Performers in Gillespie's Alcohol Scene

The Albert Hotel leads the pack with impressive total receipts of $192,590. Its liquor sales are particularly strong, bringing in $131,744, while wine and beer contribute $36,102 and $24,744, respectively. This makes it a prime spot for those looking to capitalize on a well-rounded alcohol menu.

Following closely, Velvet Lounge is a noteworthy contender with $181,980 in total receipts, largely driven by its liquor sales at $133,504. Interestingly, the Velvet Lounge has a smaller wine sales figure of $5,236, indicating a strong focus on liquor and beer, the latter bringing in $34,115.

Notable Trends and Insights

Los Tios 9 stands out with a substantial liquor sales figure of $135,125 out of its total $157,548 receipts. This establishment has the highest liquor sales among the top three, which might suggest a focused clientele or successful specialty cocktails.

Crossroads Saloon and Hill and Vine both have receipts in the $140,000 range, but their sales strategies differ. Crossroads has an even distribution across liquor, wine, and beer, while Hill and Vine shows a preference for wine at $52,309, the highest among the top five.

Strategic Opportunities

For those eyeing investments, establishments like Hondo's on Main and The Emigrant are worth noting. Hondo's has a strong beer sales figure of $38,732, indicating a potential niche in craft or specialty beers. The Emigrant, with total receipts of $106,858, shows balanced sales but leans heavily on liquor.

Elk Store Winery & Distillery is unique with no beer sales, focusing entirely on wine and liquor. This specialization could be a model for others looking to carve out a niche in the wine and liquor space, with their total receipts at $91,048.

Concentration of Alcohol Sales

In Gillespie, it's clear that Zip Code 78624 is the powerhouse for alcohol sales, raking in a whopping $2,915,193. This area hosts 79 of the 87 total establishments, indicating it’s a hub for both residents and businesses alike. With such a large concentration of sales, this zip code is the primary contributor to the county's alcohol economy.

Types of Alcohol Sold

When it comes to the types of alcohol being sold, Zip Code 78624 shows a diverse mix with a strong preference for liquor, making up 64% of sales. In contrast, Zip Code 78671 has a dominant market for beer, which accounts for 68% of its sales. Meanwhile, Zip Code 78618 leans heavily towards wine at 53%, suggesting a unique local palate or demographic.

Opportunities for New Establishments

Given the data, there's a notable opportunity in Zip Code 78675, which has one establishment but recorded no sales. This could be due to several factors such as lack of market presence or unmet customer needs. Entrepreneurs might explore this area for potential growth, especially with strategic marketing or product offerings tailored to local tastes.

Interesting Patterns and Insights

It's interesting to note the stark contrast in sales distribution across the zip codes. While Zip Code 78624 dominates the market, smaller areas like Zip Code 78631 still manage to prioritize liquor, comprising 75% of its total sales. This data suggests varying local preferences that could inform business strategies, such as focusing on specific alcohol types that align with consumer demand in each area.

Overall Sales Trends

Over the past year, alcohol sales in Gillespie have experienced significant fluctuations, with the most noteworthy peak occurring in October 2024. During this month, total receipts reached a remarkable $3,396,605, largely driven by a substantial increase in beer sales. This suggests a possible seasonal demand, perhaps linked to events or festivals during that time of year.

Monthly Variations and Patterns

After the October peak, sales saw a gradual decline, with November still maintaining strong figures at $3,182,605. By December, the trend shifted downward to $2,633,262. The beginning of 2025 marked a notable drop in January with receipts at $2,012,664, possibly due to post-holiday consumer spending slumps.

Product Mix Insights

Throughout the year, liquor consistently dominated the sales mix, accounting for a significant portion of total receipts. However, October 2024 was an outlier month where beer sales spiked to $1,068,761, hinting at specific consumer preferences or promotional activities. Wine, while the smallest category, showed steady sales, with the highest in March 2025 at $518,073.

Market Dynamics and Establishment Changes

Interestingly, while total receipts have generally been on an upward trajectory since February 2025, the number of establishments has fluctuated. May 2025 saw a reduction in establishments to 85, yet sales increased by 5.99% from the previous month, indicating that remaining businesses might be optimizing their operations or benefiting from reduced competition.

Implications for the Industry

These trends suggest that businesses should prepare for the significant sales opportunities in October and November. Additionally, understanding the consumer shift towards beer during specific times could help in strategic stocking and marketing decisions. As the number of establishments continues to fluctuate, businesses might focus on enhancing customer experiences to maintain their competitive edge.