Amaral Looks Ahead as Liquor Store Starts Second Year in Business

Matthew Amaral looked ahead – not backward – on Wednesday as Grapes & Grains liquor store in Barrington reached its first anniversary. He opened on March 27, 2012, as the proprietor of a store that got the town’s very first liquor license. 

A celebration of the start of his second year in business is planned in a few weeks, Amaral said. By that event, he said , he might be ready to announce the location of his second store in Connecticut.

“We’re ready to go,” he said. “We know what’s working. I’m ready to put my business model to the test in a second location.”

Amaral, who also works in insurance sales, was in and out of the Bosworth Street store on Wednesday -- usually the wine-tasting day. Peter Andrews, his general manager and wine authority, was tasting wines the store is considering adding to its inventory. Several sales representatives from distributors were waiting to push their products. 

“We’re switching layout and inventory,” said Amaral. “We have a year under our belt now, and we know what sells. We’re rebuilding our stock with new brands and new wines – including more under $10 a bottle wines.” 

Amaral gives the kudos to his team.

“They’ve taking my vision and making it work,” he said. “I’m management, they’re the operations.” 

Amaral said the store also is moving more rapidly into the “events” business, including parties and menu pairings. The Barrington Blooms fundraiser in April, for instance, he said, is being hosted by Grapes & Grains. He hosted parties for both the Democrats and Republicans before last year’s election.

Is Amaral doing any looking back on his first year in business? 

He and his wife, Luciana, welcomed a new child into their home even as the new business was taking off. His second son, Nathaniel, turns 9 months in a couple of weeks.

“I would have liked him here for the photo,” said Amaral. “But he’s home sleeping.”