BevMo! Opens Its Doors

There's a new place to buy beverages in San Ramon.

opened its doors at 9 a.m. in the Diablo Plaza shopping center at Crow Canyon and San Ramon Valley roads.

The Concord-based company has taken over the 12,000-square-foot space previously occupied by Jo-Ann Fabrics.

The BevMo! store is just north of the Safeway in the shopping complex, near Bay Books.

Mark Ryan, marketing manager for BevMo!, said the new store employs 15 people.

He said the company chose this particular location because it is in a "high traffic area" and can conventiently serve ClubBev! members as well as attract new customers from the San Ramon region.

Ryan said hundreds of customers came through the doors on opening day.

Patch readers reported the line at the store at 9 a.m. that day stretched down the front walkway.

By mid-afternoon, the line was gone, but the store was still busy.

Wesley Owen and Winnie Young, who work together at an office in San Ramon, happened to see the red and white balloons outside the store during their lunch break.

They said they were impressed with the selection and plan to return to shop for wine and other beverages.

Louise Klabau had purchased one bottle of wine and two bottles of champagne. She said the coupons offered by BevMo! brought her to the store on opening day.

She plans to come back. Klabau liked the selection, the abundant parking and the store's proximity to her home.

BevMo! sells both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages as well as speciality foods, snacks, cigars, glassware and wine accessories.

BevMo! has 114 stores, including ones in Danville, Dublin, Pleasanton, Livermore and Walnut Creek.