“ For us, the reason to do this event is pretty obvious,” Papa says.“ Our veterans have made the ultimate sacrifice. They’ re pillars of our community and are great role models for local kids to look up to.”
Community involvement comes in many different forms. One nationwide issue that has galvanized beverage alcohol retailers from coast to coast is the problem with nips. Smaller-size alcohol packaging can lead to theft and littering, which has caused some municipalities to propose banning the products. Plymouth itself sought to do so in 2024. Savvy, empathetic liquor stores like Pioppi’ s have fought against this bad-for-business measure by becoming part of the solution.
“ Ever since the whole attempt to ban nips, we have become involved in the town clean-up day,” Papa explains.“ Plymouth has an annual clean-up day.”
After Pioppi’ s helped lead a referendum that defeated the local ban on nips, the store ran its own clean-up efforts. But eventually the business folded its efforts into the Town of Plymouth’ s existing clean-up day, for efficiency’ s sake.
“ It was just easier to jump onto the town’ s day because the town sends out so much information about it, doing a lot of the marketing work,” Papa says.
Beyond those two events, Pioppi’ s also does a lot of standard charitable work: donations, raffles and gift cards for local organizations that reach out and ask.
“ We’ re always trying to give back to the community,” Papa says.
GEORGE’ S LIQUOR
George’ s Liquor, a 10,000−square-foot store in Newport, AR, has been in business for 42 years. It operates in a small city with a population of 7,000 to 8,000. It hasn’ t always been the case, but currently, George’ s is the only liquor store still operational in Newport. All of this adds up to a business that is truly a pillar of the community, a real local fixture.
“ I know this community. There’ s deep roots here with my family,” says owner Connie Waters.“ I’ m blessed to have a successful business here. We’ re the only liquor store left. People expect me to give back.”
And give back she does, in a variety of ways that helps spread the benefits around the town and broader region.
“ For several years, we were huge sponsors of Big Brothers, Big Sisters Northeast Arkansas,” Waters says.“ I believe in that program wholeheartedly.”
“ Most recently we have become the beverage sponsor for a community college that is incorporating sports into their curriculum,” Waters adds.“ Their basketball team and girls softball team are a big to do. It gives these kids the opportunity to go to school and play sports and get an education.”
Speaking of sports, George’ s is also a beverage alcohol sponsor for a big annual golf tournament that fundraise for the Arkansas Sheriff Youth Ranch.
“ That nonprofit organization takes in takes in troubled teens and tries to get them a mentor,” Waters explains.“ They’ re trying to get young boys and girls back on the right path.”
George ' s Liquor is the only beverage alcohol retailer still operational in Newport, AR, and gives back extensively.
George’ s has also sponsored children to attend Kanakuk Kamp, a Christian sports camp.
Additionally, Waters and her employees help support Ag For Autism, a nonprofit that helps empower and support individuals and families in rural communities impacted by autism. This is a cause near and dear to George’ s, as a staff member has an autistic child.
“ And the list of the help we do goes on and on,” Waters says.“ This is where we live, and this is a community where we need each other.”
Waters mentioned how a tornado recently devastated the properties of people who live in Newport, and how locals came together to support those affected by the disaster.“ We’ re a community-driven town,” she says. George’ s is indicative of how top liquor stores nationwide become embedded in their local culture, happily giving back to the towns where they are as well-known and beneficial as any resident. • www. beveragedynamics. com Summer 2025 • Beverage Dynamics 39