Liquor Store Keeps the ‘Spirits’ High

Joe and Ellen Dorenfeld have a history of running liquor stores, and much like its owners, the site of their Reisterstown shop has a rich history of its own.

Since it was first built in 1723, this site at 808 Westminster Pike has been serving up spirits. Originally it was known as the 18 Mile House and was located on what was then called “the Road to Pittsburgh,” according to Mr. Dorenfeld, 59, who opened Northwest Fine Wines, Spirits and More at this location a year ago with his wife.

“This building is a historic landmark and I knew, potentially, it would make a good spirit shop,” Mr. Dorenfeld said.

The Dorenfeld duo has been running liquor stores for over 32 years. Joe started at the age of 24 with his first store, Joe’s Cut Rate, which was in East Baltimore from 1975 to 1990. Next, he and wife Ellen operated Whity’s Spirits & Deli in Towson through 1997. Their third store was The Liquor Shoppe, in Hampstead, which was open until 2001.

A few years ago, the Dorenfelds made the decision to open another store. By coincidence, they happened to be driving down Route 140, where they stumbled upon the site that was, up until a few years ago, The North Star Tavern. One thing led to another, and after a year of hard work, restoration efforts and remodeling, Fine Wines, Spirits and More emerged as a newly renovated, discounted spirits shop.

“We are not a coupon store,” Mrs. Dorenfeld explained. “Our prices are lower without the coupon.”

Fine Wines, Spirits and More offers more than 400 selections of beer and carries a full selection of vodka, mixers, wines, ryes and anything else you can imagine.

“We specialize in everything,” Mr. Dorenfeld said. For example, the store carries small batch bourbons and single malt scotches. The Dorenfelds stock the store full of quality, discounted products as a result of purchasing their inventory wholesale.

“Not only do we offer the best variety, but we also service people,” Mr. Dorenfeld said. “The store itself is laid out very well. In a way, that makes it easy to get around and shop.” Every day brings a new visitor to the shop, and when a customer comes in once, they’re bound to return.

“The selections and the customers are the best things about working here,” employee and Reisterstown resident, Micah Weinstein, 23, said. Weinstein has been with Northwest Fine Wines, Spirits and More for five months now.

Joe and Ellen Dorenfeld are always expanding their services to customers even further. Recent additions to the shop include a lottery terminal and self-service machine. The store also holds wine and beer tastings every couple of weeks, and the owners are in the process of scheduling these regularly and starting an email list to keep customers posted.

The Dorenfelds never have to “wine” about business. Wine is their business, and it has been a booming since they opened.

Northwest Fine Wines, Spirits and More is located at 808 Westminster Pike in Reisterstown. The store is open daily from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week. For more information, call 410-517-1240.