The Beverage Store, located about five miles from the University at 6908 Florida Blvd., is the first and only store in Louisiana to sell beer, wine and spirits online.
“Basically, we have most of our beverages on a website that is a full shopping website,” said Beverage Store Web Content Manager David Tolar. “If you are 21 or older, you can place your order online and pay online and just come pick it up in the store. You don’t have to wait in line.”
The website offers more than 1,000 drink options and a range of cups and shot glasses to buy.
The store also offers delivery to anyone with a pre-approved account, Tolar said.
The catch is that delivery works much like a catering service — it is only open to commercial orders and comes with a delivery charge, Tolar said.
“[Delivery] is not going to be for ordering a six pack,” Tolar said.
However, any organization or group on campus that has a commercial address where they can receive mail may be eligible for delivery service, Tolar said.
To get an account, customers must go to the store’s website and fill out an application form, which asks for name, organization name, address, contact information and type of organization.
After the online form is completed, an appointment will be made to finalize the application, and the new account holder will be given a free bottle of wine, Tolar said.
“Not everyone is going to be accepted,” Tolar said.
The alcohol will be delivered by a store employee, Tolar said.
“It’s important to note that we don’t ship anything, because that’s not legal in Louisiana,” Tolar said.
The new business model should be successful, according to owner Arthur Tolar, David Tolar’s father.
“It takes less time than looking through products in person, and we have full descriptions of everything, so they get to make smarter choices,” Arthur Tolar said in a news release.
Even though this kind of service is untested in Louisiana, it’s not a gimmick to promote the beverage store, Arthur Tolar said.
“We’re fully invested in this new way of doing business, and we want everybody to know it,” Arthur Tolar said.