First Package Store in Peachtree Corners Officially Opens

The Corners Fine Wines & Spirits celebrates with ribbon-cutting. Some things are worth waiting for, even if they do require jumping through multiple hoops. That surely was the case for the three business partners of Corners Fine Wine and Spirits. Sept. 16 was the day they finally cut the ribbon to celebrate the official opening of their long-awaited new retail package store.

The occasion also marked the very first such store to open in Peachtree Corners. The new city was just getting settled in as Gwinnett County’s newest city in 2012 when Gerald Davidson and his partners Stuart Cross and John Curry began formulating their plans. The first order of business was to secure enough signatures from residents so that a referendum allowing a package store could be presented to voters. The referendum vote in 2014 easily passed 1,394 to 492 in favor of allowing the city to issue permits for retail package stores in its city limits.

Then came scouting for a location. The first choice on Peachtree Parkway near what would become the Town Center wasn’t viable. Their second choice, located about 2 miles south was doable, but developing the site would take time. A new road had to be cut into a hill and the building site prepared.

On that September day, their patience and perseverance paid off as they celebrated the official opening of the 12,000 square-foot Corners Fine Wines & Spirits store surrounded by friends, family and supporters.

The celebration also included remembering business partner John Curry, who passed away earlier this year. The remaining owners, along with John’s widow, Libby, installed a plaque near the entrance to ensure he would always be remembered “as the heart and soul of this establishment.”

“These three businessmen are to be commended for their persistence,” said Mayor Mike Mason. “We applaud their efforts in following through the process. It’s taken a few years, but looking around the store, it was well worth the wait. We wish them great success.”