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Nestled in the heart of Texas, Hays stands as a vibrant community, blending the charm of small-town living with the dynamism of a growing urban area. Its strategic location, just a stone's throw from bustling cities like Austin and San Antonio, positions it as a significant player in the region's economic landscape. Among its many facets, the alcohol sales market in Hays offers intriguing insights into local consumer behavior and business trends.

This article presents a data-driven analysis of alcohol sales in Hays, shedding light on the businesses and areas that drive this segment of the market. In the first section, readers will discover a meticulously curated table that ranks the top alcohol-selling establishments, accompanied by an analysis of what sets these venues apart. The following section delves into zip code-specific sales data, revealing which neighborhoods boast the highest concentrations of alcohol purchases.

To round off the exploration, a monthly trends analysis will trace the ebb and flow of alcohol sales over the past year, highlighting seasonal patterns and economic influences. Whether you're a business owner, a resident, or simply curious about the local economy, this detailed report offers a comprehensive view of Hays's alcohol sales landscape as of April 2025.

Top 25 Hays Businesses By June 2025 Alcohol Sales

The following table shows a list of the top alcohol-selling establishments in Hays for June 2025, ranked by total sales. Includes a breakdown of liquor, wine, and beer sales.
# Establishment Total Liquor Wine Beer
1.
Hays City Store
$234,310
$171,543
$8,454
$54,313
2.
Camp Lucy
$209,874
$99,182
$79,348
$31,344
3.
Twin Peaks
$164,825
$59,836
$814
$104,175
4.
Zelicks
$162,955
$108,401
$1,046
$53,508
5.
Nate's at Buda Mill and Grain, Inc.
$147,604
$91,513
$7,499
$48,592
6.
Peak Beverage Texas LLC
$135,344
$76,038
$31,636
$27,670
7.
Whiskey Ridge
$135,205
$97,926
$24,960
$12,319
8.
Maverick's Dance Hall
$134,664
$88,690
$278
$45,696
9.
Railhouse
$128,674
$72,984
$65
$55,625
10.
Trattoria Lisina
$125,721
$43,336
$77,578
$4,807
11.
Chimy's San Marcos
$111,656
$87,349
$0
$24,307
12.
Freddy C's Lounge/wildfiresmtx
$110,821
$84,117
$66
$26,638
13.
Creek House
$102,005
$78,150
$8,379
$15,476
14.
Kissing Tree Club/tarbox & Brown/the Mix
$99,818
$43,401
$13,603
$42,814
15.
Taste on Main Steak & Seafood
$94,841
$64,039
$23,141
$7,661
16.
54th Street Restaurant & Drafthouse
$94,120
$55,463
$5,649
$33,008
17.
The Let Go
$89,745
$65,433
$4,102
$20,210
18.
Dripping Springs Distilling
$89,722
$87,103
$0
$0
19.
Evo Entertainment Center
$87,216
$43,914
$3,626
$39,676
20.
The I Dont Know Bar
$87,014
$42,247
$29
$44,738
21.
Plum Creek
$86,185
$44,467
$5
$41,713
22.
The Taproom & the Porch
$85,790
$45,801
$437
$39,552
23.
Texas Roadhouse
$84,576
$47,164
$2,998
$34,414
24.
The Vault
$83,533
$44,501
$30,715
$8,317
25.
Texas Roadhouse
$83,274
$42,313
$3,058
$37,903

Top Performers in Hays Alcohol Sales

Leading the pack in June 2025 is HAYS CITY STORE with total receipts hitting $234,310. Liquor sales are the major contributor here, accounting for $171,543 of the total. This establishment clearly has a strong pull in the liquor market, with beer sales also notable at $54,313.

CAMP LUCY follows closely, amassing $209,874 in total receipts. Unlike HAYS CITY STORE, wine sales for CAMP LUCY are significant, contributing $79,348, which is almost equal to their liquor sales. It's interesting to see such a balanced distribution between liquor and wine sales here.

Beer-Centric Establishments

TWIN PEAKS stands out with its beer sales leading the charge at $104,175, making it a popular spot for beer enthusiasts. Despite a lower contribution from wine, their total receipts reach $164,825, showing strong performance in the beer category.

ZELICKS also makes its mark with a total receipt of $162,955. Here, liquor takes the top spot in sales, but beer follows closely, indicating a well-rounded appeal to customers seeking both spirits and brews.

Noteworthy Trends and Insights

Among the top sellers, NATE'S AT BUDA MILL AND GRAIN, INC. is noteworthy with its strong liquor sales at $91,513, contributing significantly to its total receipts of $147,604. Such a focus on liquor might suggest a specialized offering or customer preference.

In the mid-range, TRATTORIA LISINA demonstrates a distinct preference for wine with $77,578 in wine sales, nearly double its liquor sales. This may indicate a niche market focused on wine lovers, differentiating itself in the competitive market.

At the lower end of the top 25, DRIPPING SPRINGS DISTILLING is unique in its exclusive focus on liquor, with no wine or beer sales reported. This specialization might cater to a specific clientele or reflect the establishment's branding strategy.

Hays Zip Codes By June 2025 Alcohol Sales

The following table shows a breakdown of alcohol sales by zip code in Hays for June 2025, ranked by total sales. Shows the number of establishments and a breakdown of sales types for each area.
# Zip Code Establishments Total Liquor Wine Beer
1.
78666
89 $3,184,653
$1,922,995
$170,732
$962,911
2.
78610
26 $1,097,067
$585,322
$67,735
$338,776
3.
78640
32 $890,478
$519,267
$34,837
$336,374
4.
78620
31 $866,338
$575,693
$139,650
$148,376
5.
78676
23 $750,897
$474,178
$82,231
$160,266
6.
78619
11 $627,141
$406,973
$113,721
$106,447

Top Performers in Alcohol Sales

When looking at alcohol sales in Hays for June 2025, Zip Code 78666 clearly leads the pack with a whopping $3,184,653 in sales, which is nearly half of the total sales across all zip codes. With 89 establishments, it boasts the highest concentration of sales, primarily driven by liquor, which makes up 60% of its sales mix.

Sales Mix Variations

Different zip codes in Hays show distinct preferences for types of alcohol. For instance, Zip Code 78620 stands out with a higher wine preference, as wine accounts for 16% of its sales—much higher than in other areas. On the other hand, Zip Code 78640 has the highest beer sales percentage at 38%.

Opportunities for New Establishments

With a total of 212 establishments across six zip codes, there's a noticeable variance in business density. Zip Code 78619 has the fewest establishments (11) but still manages substantial sales. This could indicate an opportunity for new businesses to tap into a potentially underserved market, especially in areas with fewer outlets like 78619 and 78676.

Interesting Patterns and Insights

It's noteworthy that liquor consistently dominates the sales mix across all zip codes, ranging from 53% to 66%. This strong preference for liquor suggests that new businesses might benefit from focusing on liquor offerings. Additionally, the relatively even distribution of beer sales across zip codes indicates a stable demand that could be leveraged by new and existing establishments alike.

Hays Alcohol Sales Trends: Last 12 Months

The following table shows a summary of the last 12 months of alcohol sales trends in Hays. Includes total sales, number of establishments, and the percentage change from the previous month.
Month Establishments Total Liquor Wine Beer Monthly Change
Jun 2025 225 $7,759,737
$4,648,568
$634,906
$2,150,863
18.3%
May 2025 227 $9,501,453
$5,855,682
$821,147
$2,583,225
15.3%
Apr 2025 229 $8,237,212
$4,945,537
$754,475
$2,350,051
5%
Mar 2025 217 $8,672,189
$5,315,138
$872,283
$2,461,806
29.9%
Feb 2025 217 $6,676,038
$4,117,744
$604,433
$1,881,105
9%
Jan 2025 228 $6,123,632
$3,751,978
$557,171
$1,766,352
18.9%
Dec 2024 224 $7,549,158
$4,598,274
$753,514
$2,105,461
4.7%
Nov 2024 221 $7,923,119
$4,777,715
$780,862
$2,288,572
5.8%
Oct 2024 220 $8,411,858
$4,953,544
$826,284
$2,600,882
8.5%
Sep 2024 217 $7,755,879
$4,663,959
$702,440
$2,357,699
4.4%
Aug 2024 214 $7,431,046
$4,646,347
$608,297
$2,144,573
3.6%
Jul 2024 208 $7,170,583
$4,454,207
$561,385
$2,122,567
0%

Overview of Alcohol Sales in Hays

Over the past 12 months, alcohol sales in Hays have shown some interesting trends, with notable fluctuations in both total receipts and the number of establishments. The month of May 2025 stood out with the highest sales, reaching an impressive $9.5 million in total receipts, which was a significant 15.35% increase from April. This spike suggests a seasonal boost, possibly due to events or holidays driving higher consumption.

Monthly Fluctuations and Trends

June 2025, however, saw a noticeable drop to $7.76 million, an 18.33% decrease from May. This decline might indicate a post-peak slump, which is common after a high sales month. Interestingly, the number of establishments remained relatively stable throughout the year, with a slight decrease in June, down by 0.88% from May.

Sales Mix: Liquor, Wine, and Beer

When examining the sales mix, liquor consistently accounted for the largest share of sales, peaking at $5.86 million in May. Beer and wine followed, with beer sales reaching $2.58 million in the same month. This trend highlights a strong preference for liquor in Hays, although beer and wine sales also saw notable increases during peak months.

Year-over-Year Insights

Looking at the data from late 2024, we see that October had a significant sales boost compared to the preceding months, with total receipts climbing by 8.46% from September. This upswing suggests a pattern where the fall season may encourage higher alcohol consumption, possibly linked to social events and gatherings leading into the holiday season.

Market Implications

For businesses, understanding these trends is crucial for inventory planning and marketing strategies. The May sales peak suggests opportunities for targeted promotions and events, while the post-peak dip in June warns of potential overstocking risks. The steady dominance of liquor sales indicates that businesses might benefit from focusing on premium liquor offerings to capture the largest share of the market.

Economic Overview

Hays, Texas, is a burgeoning hub that benefits from its strategic location between Austin and San Antonio, two of the state's economic powerhouses. The city's economy is diverse, with significant contributions from the technology sector, manufacturing, and education services. Hays has attracted a range of tech startups, capitalizing on the talent pool from nearby universities and the vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem. Additionally, the manufacturing industry, particularly in advanced materials and machinery, plays a crucial role in the local economy.

The business climate in Hays is characterized by a supportive local government that fosters innovation and growth. Incentive programs and a streamlined permitting process make it an attractive destination for new businesses. Over recent years, there has been a noticeable trend of increasing investment in infrastructure, which has further stimulated economic development and created a robust environment for business expansion.

Cultural Scene

Hays boasts a rich cultural scene that reflects the diversity and creativity of its residents. The city is known for its annual festivals, such as the Hays Arts and Music Festival, which draws artists and musicians from across Texas and beyond. This event, among others, has positioned Hays as a cultural destination in the region.

For art enthusiasts, the local galleries and public art installations offer a constant source of inspiration and connection to the community. The Hays Cultural Center frequently hosts exhibitions and performances, making it a cornerstone of the city's cultural life. These events and attractions not only enrich the community but also attract visitors, contributing to the local economy.

Lifestyle

Hays offers a unique lifestyle that combines the charm of a small town with the conveniences of urban living. Popular neighborhoods such as Plum Creek and Sunfield provide residents with a variety of housing options, from modern apartments to family-friendly homes. These areas are known for their community spirit and accessibility to parks and recreational facilities.

The city's entertainment districts are vibrant with a mix of local eateries, boutique shops, and entertainment venues. Downtown Hays is particularly popular for its eclectic mix of independent businesses and lively street markets. The local character is defined by a strong sense of community and a commitment to sustainability, making it an appealing place for families and young professionals alike.

Future Outlook

The future of Hays looks promising, with several development plans aimed at accommodating its growing population while maintaining its unique character. Infrastructure projects are underway to improve transportation links and support economic growth, including expansions to road networks and public transit systems.

Hays is experiencing a steady influx of new residents and businesses, driven by its attractive quality of life and economic opportunities. The city is actively planning for sustainable growth, ensuring that development projects align with environmental and community goals. As Hays continues to evolve, it remains a compelling prospect for investors and businesses looking to tap into its dynamic market and thriving community.