TOP 100 RETAILERS PROFILES
TOP 100 RETAILERS PROFILES
Liquor World by KYLE SWARTZ
For more than three decades, Liquor World has been a fixture in Northwest Arkansas, building its reputation on an expansive product selection, personalized customer service and commitment to the local community. Those qualities have helped earn the Fayetteville-based retailer a place among Beverage Dynamics ' 2026 Top 100 Retailers.
Owner Kent Starr opened Liquor World on North College Avenue in 1993 after spending 13 years working in the local beverage alcohol industry. Recognizing an opportunity to create something different, Starr focused on offering a broad selection of wine, spirits and beer, while delivering a level of service that set the store apart from its competitors.
More than 30 years later, that formula remains at the heart of the business.
" I don ' t think we have radically changed our focus this past year or so, just continue to focus on customer service starting when the customer enters the store and continuing until they head out," Starr says. " For 44 years, that has been our focus: the customer experience."
That dedication extends throughout the operation. Liquor World ' s experienced team helps customers navigate one of Arkansas ' largest selections of wines, spirits and beers, while also providing expert guidance for special events, ranging from intimate gatherings to large-scale weddings, receptions and university functions.
" We continue offering the best selection of wines, spirits and beers while providing excellent customer service," Starr says. " We offer a great party planning service and work closely with local caterers, bartenders and party planners for weddings, receptions and university functions to provide advice and product for special events."
The retailer has also remained responsive to changing consumer preferences. Starr notes that ready-to-drink cocktails and hard seltzers continue to perform strongly, while regulatory changes have affected other growing categories.
" We were selling THC cocktails and other such products really well, and the state changed the law in 2025 forcing us to remove all such products from our shelves,” he explains.
Beyond its retail success, Liquor World has become an integral part of the Northwest Arkansas community. The company supports numerous charitable organizations and fundraising initiatives throughout the region, including the Ronald McDonald House Red Shoe Soiree, Arkansas Children ' s Northwest, Feeding Fayetteville, Hope Cancer Resources, the American Cancer Society ' s Suits & Sneakers Gala and many others.
One of the retailer ' s most significant contributions has been its involvement with the Art of Wine Festival. Liquor World helped establish the annual event 25 years ago. It has since grown into one of the region ' s premier wine fundraising events, generating hundreds of thousands of dollars for arts education and programming through the Walton Arts Center.
For Starr, community involvement is inseparable from the company ' s mission.
" This has and always will be a huge part of our success and focus," he says. " We are involved in hundreds of local charities and events that help the community and continue to build our reputation as a leader in our community."
As Liquor World looks toward 2027, Starr remains optimistic despite ongoing economic pressures facing both retailers and consumers.
" We will continue to be aggressive with our pricing and work to maintain our advantage as one of Arkansas ' s leading retailers," he says. " Customer service, pricing, merchandising, marketing, and involvement in all aspects of the local community have and will continue to be our focus moving forward." •
www. beveragedynamics. com 2026 Top 100 Issue • Beverage Dynamics 19