A store, a home and a family
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The father-son duo of James and Mike Thomas are the second and third generations of Thomas men to own and manage the historic establishment that is known to neighbors and wine connoisseurs as Thomas Liquors.
The store, nestled in the Mac-Groveland neighborhood of St. Paul, has developed from a keg shop into a premier wine store. In 1922 the building housed a pharmacy owned by a Mr. Munch, where Clarence Thomas worked. In the late 1920’s Munch passed away and Clarence bought the building from his widow. When Prohibition ended in 1934 a small liquor department was added in the back of the store (James, Clarence’s son, said during Prohibition alcohol was prescribed by physicians, primarily to heart patients). In 1951 Clarence closed the pharmacy, began selling alcohol and renamed the building Thomas Liquors.
Since, the store has become home to the Thomas men – providing support, allowing for growth and creating memories. During a recent Saturday afternoon, between wine-tastings and a steady flow of customers, James and Mike bellied up and shared their stories.