By Chris Wilson

The Saturday morning scramble throughout the fall sometimes includes several stops along your route of errands to pick up the perfect items for your tailgating or football watching festivities. Whether your heading to the game, having some friends over to root on the Gators or just wanting to relax in front of the tube, U&B Liquors in the Publix-anchored Steeplechase Plaza, located at the intersection of Newberry Rd. and CR 241, offers convenience and discounts that are sure to make your gameday even better.

(Photo: Manoj Patel welcomes you to his U&B Liquors in Jonesville)

U&B Liquors owner Manoj “Mike” Patel says his store, which has been open since the spring, offers a convenient stop for his regular customers. “You can go to Publix or your spouse could go to Publix to get the food,” Patel explains. “We’re right here, in the same parking lot. There’s also the (Quality Cleaners), Subway, Chinese food or sushi and the UPS Store. So, you can get everything you need right here. With the high gas prices we’re facing, there’s no need for a separate trip.”

It’s not surprising that Patel is concerned with the convenience of his location, after having worked as the manager of a convenience store for three years before opening the liquor store. “We’re also right in the flow of evening traffic for people who live here (in Jonesville), so they can stop on their way home,” says Patel.

As far as his own prices go, Patel says he offers competitive deals. “There’s a myth that the store is more expensive because it’s located in a Publix plaza, but it’s not true,” Patel explains. “We offer very competitive prices. I get promotional deals (from the distributors) and pass the savings along to my customers. I’m the only employee, so I don’t have a lot of overhead (costs).”

Shopping at his store, which has orange and blue lined shelves, is sure to get you even more pumped up for the game. “I am a Gator fan, too,” says Patel.

Among the gameday specials Patel will be offering this fall is Budweiser and Bud Light 18 packs for $11.49. Patel also designates a section of his store to his “Manager’s Specials,” where the prices are rock bottom. One of the recent specials included a 1.75-liter bottle of Bacardi rum for only $19.99 and the same size bottle of Kahlua for only $30.99. The specials change all the time.

Patel offers a selection of cold beers ranging from the less-expensive cans to import and microbrew bottles, including beers from Japan, China, Italy, England and, of course, Germany and all of the seasonal microbrews.

In terms of liquor, he carries the spectrum of less expensive and top-shelf brands in vodka, rum, tequila, scotch, whiskey, brandy and liqueurs (this reporter is particularly impressed with his selection of aged single-malt scotch).

In addition to cold beer and liquor, Patel features a vast selection of middle-to-high-end wines. He also carries all of the necessary mixers to make your party even more tasty. He says his price on the popular Red Bull energy drink is better than most convenience stores.

“In spite of the moderate size of this store, we have a huge selection in liquor, wine and beer at competitive prices," says Patel.

U&B Liquors also features a humidor, which has 15 top-selling varieties of premium cigars. “I started selling cigars because of our proximity to the golf courses,” says Patel. “They stay fresh in the humidor.” 

U&B Liquors also might be considered a lottery and scratch-off hotbed, as Patel already has doled out more than $10,000 in winnings. “For some, this has been the lucky spot,” says Patel. “One of my regular customers already has won three times.” The biggest winner from Patel’s store took home more than $5,000.

U&B Liquors is located at 14224 W. Newberry Rd. in the Publix-anchored Steeplechase plaza and is simply adorned with a sign reading “Liquor” above the door. You can look for the monthly special coupon in every issue of The Suburban Chronicle.
 
For information, call 332-7070.