Today we’d like to introduce you to Karen Bopp.
Hi Karen, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, you could tell our readers some of your backstory.
After 29 years with Famous Barr and Macy’s, I decided to open my store, but I needed to figure out what. This was an old liquor store, and I supported the couple who owned it for years. They were my go-to for an enormous bonfire I did yearly on our property during the first week in November. I asked the owner, whose name was also Karen, to come to the bonfire that year to see how big the fire was. Unfortunately, she was killed in a car accident in September. I decided to check out the store and see if it was worth saving. The building was old and falling apart. I was going through some paperwork in the store when I found the note Karen had written, “Must go to Karen Bopp’s Bonfire’. The hair on my arm stood straight up, and I knew it was my sign to re-open, which we did in April of 2013. We knocked down the old building and put up a new one. There was an Old Horseshoe repair shop from the early 1900s behind the building, and when we knocked it down, I found a huge horseshoe that remains in the store on my trend table. It brings the store good luck. I celebrated my 10th anniversary with a huge outdoor party at the store. We are not your typical Liquor store, more like a Vintage Boutique. We do tastings, from Wine to Bourbons and everything in between. We are considered the Beer nerds of the area because we get fun and unusual beers. We do about 15% of our business in Cigars. We bartend several events during the year outside the store as well. We have a full Liquor License to bartend in the store. I choose not to be a bar day in and out for city events. I involve myself with local charities and do events at the store to help raise money or collect needed items. I believe in supporting local businesses and being a part of a great community. I have met so many people through my business and call them friends. I think the craziest year, yet successful, was 2020, Covid. Although I don’t want to have to put anyone through that again, it was a learning lesson for all of us.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There have been many ups and downs. Knowing nothing much about alcohol, I was taking my chances. My reps were good at helping us figure out the basics. I did not drink wine, I didn’t drink craft beers, and I don’t smoke cigars. But you learn fast. In the first 3 weeks of opening, we sold close to 700 cigars. Wow, who would have known? It took me a while to figure out the correct pricing and how to stay competitive with the big box stores until I realized I sell alcohol and give great customer service. You take the good with the bad; some days, it’s slow, and others, it’s crazy busy. It’s retail, and every day is different. The hardest part now is figuring out why so many people are unemployed, yet no one wants to work. I’m blessed that the group I have working with me are great and are very hard workers; they support me.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I explained on the first page, the first question. I never wanted to be the typical liquor store, but it was more boutique and different. I wanted to help customers find different and unique wines, bourbons, beers, etc. I never wanted to box stack and or crowd my store. Our customer loyalty program continues to grow, and my team does a great job of knowing their names and stories about them. We love the community and try our best to help whenever we can, whether supporting a trivia night, donating products to an event, or helping raise money from a fundraiser we did. We are known for being beer nerds, which is a compliment. We carry a large assortment of cigars in our walk-in humidor, have a great selection of bourbons, and try to avoid competing with the grocery store lines with their bogus sales that go up and down weekly. We only change our pricing if the vendor does to me. We give 10% off wines every day of the week. Customer service is number 1; you could do great at everything else, but if you have bad service. You won’t survive. I preach what I teach, and I believe in working hard to make things work better.
Networking and finding a mentor can positively impact one’s life and career. Any advice?
My all-time favorite mentor was a store MGR at Famous Barr many years ago. I worked hard for him because he worked hard. Don’t expect your people to do anything you wouldn’t do .yourself. Show your face, help your customers, walk them to the car, and carry their purchase. Take out the trash. There are so many things you can do. Let them make the buy for the store and see how it works out. Let them merchandise the store, and if things don’t work out the first time, explain to them what might have been better. Constructive but helpful criticism goes a long way.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: reddoorliquorcigars
- Facebook: facebook.com/115scentral
- Yelp: yelp.com/biz/red-door-liquor-and-cigars-eurka
