TOP 20 RETAILERS ders,” Robinson says.“ Pre-pandemic, on our busiest days, we would be in the 150 delivery per day range. Now we easily have the capacity to do 300 in one day, and are working on solutions to build our capacity further.”
In addition to offering a streamlined delivery process, the owners of Argonaut also pride themselves on educating their employees on the plethora of products gracing the store’ s shelves, so that the company can offer the best customer service.
This includes ensuring all employees are TIPS certified to ensure safe and legal sales. Several times per week, the company also educates 90-plus employees on products and suppliers.
The biggest development for the last few years for Argonaut has been the introduction of the fourth generation of ownership at the store. Robinson has recently become a co-owner and now purchases all the spirits for the store.
As the liquor buyer, Robinson has enjoyed finding new products, as well as creating new offerings with compelling stories for Argonaut customers.
“ Through programs like single barrel programs, and also leveraging our relationships to bring unique items into the store, we always have something new and exciting to recommend to our consumers,” Robinson says.
Argonaut also offers a frequent-shopper program, whereby for every dollar spent on non-sale items, the customer receives one point. For every 250 points earned, the customer receives a $ 10 in-store credit. With over 40,000 members, the program has proven to be beneficial.
Throughout the five decades that Robinson and his family have grown Argonaut, they have made a name for themselves within the Colorado liquor industry, both among consumers and industry members
They have also earned accolades aplenty through the years, including most recently having been named among the Top 100 Retailers by Beverage Dynamics magazine.
Product and customer service aside, the Argonaut team also believes in giving back to the community at large. That’ s why the company proudly donates to several charities annually, and sponsors the Denver Film Festival.
They also serve on the board of Colfax Business Improvement District to promote and improve the Colfax Business Improvement District and Colfax Corridor for business and residents alike. Argonaut also is fully engaged in the“ Keep Colorado Local” movement to preserve the small local business in Colorado.
Robinson is excited to grow Argonaut with the Denver market, as Denver has proven to be a hot spot for people to move in the last few years.
“ As the city grows, so do the amount of people we can reach,” Robinson says.“ I hope we can grow with a new generation of Coloradans and become as big of a household name, as we have been for those who have lived in Colorado for the last 50 years.”
ADAPTING FOR SUCCESS
Cheers Liquor Mart
Colorado Springs, Colorado
FIRST OPENED IN THE EARLY 1970S, Cheers Liquor Mart is a 36,000-square-foot, three-story, free-standing building— one of Colorado’ s first“ Big-Box” discount liquor stores. As Jack Backman, owner of Cheers Liquor Mart explains, he is the third owner of the business, having taken over in 1995 when the second owner lost his lease.
Considered to be a landmark in north central Colorado Springs, Cheers has won“ Best of the Springs” awards for 26 years in a row from two different newspaper publications, as well as the Top 100 Retailers in Beverage Dynamics magazine.
“ We have also been proud member of the Wine and Spirits Guild of America for over 10 years,” Backman says,“ and we enjoy the buying opportunities and education we receive from sharing ideas with other retailers from around the country.”
Backman first started in the liquor industry in 1976 as a stock boy at a store in Denver. He was 21 years old.
“ It’ s amazing to think about how many changes I’ ve seen and had to deal with over the past 45 years. The part of the job I like the most that it never gets boring and is very challenging,” Backman says.“ I am constantly searching for new ideas to improve our store and make things better and easier for our customers and employees. Keeping up with current trends, technology and unexpected occurrences is a never-ending battle.”
Throughout the many years of owning Cheers, Backman has earned the esteem of thousands of customers who have come to celebrate Cheers for its great customer service, low everyday prices and the large
www. beveragedynamics. com 2021 Top 100 Issue • Beverage Dynamics 19