Barrington's First Liquor Store Opening

Barrington’s first liquor store expects to open its doors for business today, Dec. 30, just in time for New Year’s Eve shoppers.

Brickyard Wine & Spirits is located at 1 Waseca Ave., the former Bruegger’s Bagels shop off of County Road.

“We won’t be perfect,” said owner Giovanni Cicione Thursday evening, “but we’ll be open. Look for the signs in the windows.”

If he can find a flag that says “open,” you can look for that as well. Cicione’s wife, Chelia, was out shopping for a flag Thursday evening.

Cicione was plugging in his computers early this morning after testing them a few days ago. He expects to open for good sometime after lunch.

Cicione received his certificate of occupancy from Barrington building official Robert Speaker on Wednesday, Dec. 28.

“He can open anytime he wants now,” said Speaker. “All he needs to do is pick up his paperwork.”

Cicione picked up the occupancy permit on Thursday morning. He, his store manager, Glenn Tiberius; and several family members, including his father-in-law and daughter, Marisa, have been scurrying to fill shelves with wine and spirits all week.

Cicione said the last hurdle has been the labeling of each bottle in the store for inventory control.

The store will not be in finished shape when it opens its doors. And its needs to have its signage approved by the town.

But lack of signs did not stop potential customers from walking in the door Thursday. You could almost see Cicione cringe when he told people late Thursday afternoon that he wasn't quite open yet.

That will change today when Barrington’s first-ever liquor store opens for business.