Greenwich's First Liquor Store Closing After 86 Years

GREENWICH, CT — After more than eight decades in business, a historic Cos Cob liquor store has announced it will close next month. Cos Cob Liquor, LLC owners George and Maureen Smith said in a letter posted to Patch's neighbor post Tuesday the store will be "closing its doors for the last time" in December, marking the end of its nearly 87-year run.

Located in the Cos Cob Commons shopping center on E Putnam Avenue across from CVS, the store has been "a staple of the community" since opening in 1933 at the end of Prohibition. The Smith family has owned the store for 38 years, purchasing the historic business in 1981, but the couple said they are now ready to retire.

"We at Cos Cob Liquor have thoroughly enjoyed serving our community for thirty-eight years and are saddened to announce we are closing," the Smith's said in the letter. "Our family is grateful for the continued patronage of our customers throughout the years. Every dollar each customer spent at our mom and pop business helped put a roof over our head, food on our table and assisted with the education of our children."

According to the store's website, Cos Cob Liquor was the first wine and liquor store established in Greenwich. It offers a wide selection of beer, wine, liqueur and spirits at discount prices.

The couple said they have tried for the past several years to sell the store with "multiple buyers under contract," but were unable to do so.

"It goes without saying that we would have much preferred for our extremely busy business to remain operational with a new owner and jobs for our employees," the couple said, "but unfortunately that was not possible for our family."

The couple thanked the store's "loyal and hard-working" employees, who have worked there for a combined total of over 40 years. They also thanked the store's customers for their "heartwarming" loyalty, especially during some of the couple's most difficult times.

In 2005, when the couple's son, George Smith IV, went missing while on a honeymoon cruise in the Mediterranean Sea. The story was reported on by a number of major news outlets and programs, including "Dateline NBC" and "48 Hours," and was also the subject of a Lifetime movie and a novel.

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"Many of our customers have become like family to us, and we will miss interacting with them on a regular basis," the couple said. "Although our doors are closing, our gratitude is never-ending."