Landmark liquor store relaunched

The time honored Memphis tradition of filing into Buster’s Liquors on Highland over the holidays received an update.

In December the spirits shop founded by R.M. “Buster” Hammond, Jr. in 1954 – and has been at its current location since 1970 – “re-opened” unveiling a 6,000 sq. feet expansion, adding new product lines and services to make it the state’s largest liquor store.
 
It isn’t just extra shelf space redefines the store. “We’ve added more shelf space,” says President Josh Hammond, “but we wanted to be more open, more modern.” Lowered shelves allow customers to see from one end of the space to the other which features copper accents and paneling of recycled bourbon barrel staves to evoke the feel of a distillery – appropriate when browsing the stores 1,500 whiskey labels.
 
Josh and his brother, Morgan Hammond, CEO, are the third generation to run the family owned business, but they are looking ahead. As part of Buster’s expansion to 16,000 sq. feet, the brothers sought to redefine not only the look, but the experience as well. Buster’s makes home deliveries and hosts a climate-controlled cellar room for higher end wines, with a tasting station to open soon. Across the store, in front of the new craft beer section, sits an eight-tap Pegas growler station featuring local and national craft beers. Currently the only one in Memphis, the technology allows beer to remain fresh for weeks, as opposed to days.
 
The massive redesign came on the heels of 2014's much debated legislation allowing grocery stores to carry wine. In July of this year, grocers can legally fill shelves with wine. But a less discussed aspect of the law immediately allowed liquor retailers to sell non-liquor products, as well. On passage, the Hammonds quickly added glassware and other bar accessories, including Yeti coolers and insulated drink ware, to their product line.
 
With the reopening comes a 12-foot opened refrigerated case for smoked meats and artisanal cheeses. Specialty food shelf space carries olive oil, bitters, mixers, as well as locally produced snacks like Shotwell Candies and Aunt Lizzie’s cheese straws.
 
Long-time customers will be glad to know that with all the changes, however, the photographs of Buster still hang on the walls, along with the cut-out of Elvis in his gold lamé tuxedo.