Astoria Liquor Store to move downtown

Published 5:00 pm Sunday, October 31, 2010

Beginning Nov. 15, patrons of Astoria Liquor Store won’t have to brave Marine Drive traffic to purchase their favorite libations.

That day, owners Tobi and Dave Nielsen will have relocated the store from 2703 Marine Drive to Seventh and Bond streets in downtown Astoria.

“We’re hoping the new place makes it more accessible,” said Tobi Nielsen. “This is a horrible road out here,” she said, gesturing to Marine Drive. “People walk across the street and take their lives in their hands. We have lots of loyal customers, and I don’t want them to have to deal with it.”

The Seventh and Bond location, which is across the street from the Astoria U.S. Post Office and which previously housed Mattress Pros, will be safer for those on foot, said Nielsen.

“And it will be easy to find we’ll be in the downtown core. It will be nice for walk-in traffic and cruise ship passengers. The downtown association is very excited about it it was very nice to know we’re welcome.”

Nielsen spent the latter part of October finishing work on liquor display cabinets. She also plans to install a granite countertop. “

It’s going to be gorgeous,” she said. “It will have beautiful category signs, although I haven’t decided whether they will be neon or wood.”

According to Nielsen, today’s liquor store is a far cry from that of former times.

“The façade of a liquor store has changed 110 percent over the years,” she said. “The day of the guy with one tooth hanging around is over. They look more like Nordstrom.”

The Astoria store, she added, “Will be clean and fresh. This is one of the newer buildings in Astoria. It’s well constructed.”

The Marine Drive store will close on Sunday, Nov. 14, to allow the Nielsens to pack up their inventory and move in time to reopen in the new space Monday, Nov. 15.

Astoria Liquor Store will hold a grand opening in its new location, most likely Thanksgiving weekend, said Nielsen.

“We’ll have tastings, food and music. Everyone will be able to come in and sample some of our wares. I’m just very, very excited.”

Nielsen said the move wasn’t about her own convenience.

“I’m doing this for the people of Astoria,” she said. “We’re very community oriented. This is the most fun job I’ve ever had everybody’s happy to see me. A liquor store is a great business if you run it right.”

The Nielsens live in Arch Cape. David Nielsen is also a builder. The couple is part of Brown and Nielsen Properties, LLC, developers of Manzanita’s Pine Ridge gated community.