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Guides for liquor store owners
What we've learned about buying, opening, running, and financing liquor stores.
Practical, plain-English guides for people who own, buy, or open liquor stores, researched from primary sources such as SBA rules and federal and state regulations. Read how we write and fact-check.
How to Buy a Liquor Store: A Step-by-Step Guide for Buyers
The full process, from finding listings and verifying sales to license transfer and closing.
Read guide →GuideLiquor Store for Sale? 15 Things to Verify Before You Make an Offer
A 15-point due diligence checklist to run on any listing before you offer.
Read guide →GuideHow to Open a Liquor Store: Costs, Steps, and Funding
Startup costs by category, licensing steps, location tips, and funding options.
Read guide →GuideHow to Write a Liquor Store Business Plan Lenders Will Approve
A section-by-section outline with the projections and evidence credit officers look for.
Read guide →GuideHow Much Is a Liquor License for a Liquor Store?
Why license costs range from hundreds of dollars to $1M+, and how to pay for one.
Read guide →GuideLiquor Store Profit Margins: How Much Do Owners Make?
Gross and net margins by category, a sample P&L, and how to improve profitability.
Read guide →GuideHow to Value a Liquor Store
SDE, multiples, inventory, and license value, explained the way lenders see them.
Read guide →GuideLiquor Store Loan Documents Checklist
Everything lenders ask for, organized by loan type. Gather it once, close faster.
Read guide →GuideSBA 7(a) vs. SBA 504: Which Is Right for Your Liquor Store?
What each program finances, how they're priced, and when to use both.
Read guide →GuideWhy Liquor Store Loans Get Declined (and How to Fix It)
The top reasons lenders say no to liquor stores, and how to fix each one.
Read guide →GuideHoliday Inventory and Cash Flow Planning for Liquor Stores
A month-by-month plan for stocking, funding, and paying off the holiday season.
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