Dallas-based Centennial Beverage Group is planning to close another round of stores, including several in Tarrant County.
One official at the liquor store chain confirmed Monday that "stores are closing" but would not say how many or where, and would not provide further details.Company President Greg Wonsmos did not respond to a telephone message.Centennial closed seven Dallas-Fort Worth stores in February, a year after buying its former competitor, Majestic, out of bankruptcy.After those closings, the company still operated 63 stores in DFW, including Big Daddy's, Majestic, Apple Jack's and the Arlington Bottle Shop.Liquor sales permits must be forfeited when a store is closed. Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission records do not yet reflect the closing of additional stores.But the agency's records show that the liquor store chain is behind on payments, with many stores owing large amounts to liquor and wine distributors.By law, individual retail outlets must pay for liquor and wine within a certain period and if they become delinquent are not allowed to receive further shipments, agency spokeswoman Carolyn Beck said. Liquor wholesalers are required to report delinquent accounts to the state.Records filed with the agency show that a Big Daddy's store in Dallas holds outstanding balances totaling nearly $1.9 million and that a Majestic store in Fort Worth has outstanding balances of more than $1.8 million.Those amounts are owed to two liquor distributors, Republic National Distributing in Grand Prairie and Glazer's Wholesale Distributor of Farmers Branch.Bob Cox, 817-390-7723Twitter: @bobcoxictHave more to add? News tip? Tell us
