Listen up Texans: Stock up on booze before Christmas — and New Year’s Day. Here’s why
Santa’s not the only one who needs to be making a list and checking it twice.
Any Texan who plans to serve up eggnog, Irish coffee, white Russians — or any liquor — on Christmas needs to make sure there’s enough hard stuff on hand.
Because if you run out on Christmas, you’re out of luck.
And on New Year’s Day. And Thanksgiving, for that matter.
Those are the three holidays liquor stores in Texas are required to be closed, in addition to Sundays.
“It’s state law,” said Robert Chicotsky, co-owner of Chicotsky’s Liquor Store in Fort Worth. He said he soon will post a note in the store reminding customers that the doors will be closed Dec. 25 and Jan. 1.
Many customers have been buying a lot lately, whether for personal or corporate gifts or parties, he said.
Or maybe they’re just stocking up for the holidays.
“We’ve been busy,” Chicotsky said.
Popular items recently have included a variety of wines to serve at holiday meals and bourbon.
Of course, people stocking up for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day also are buying sparkling wine or champagne.
Now, Texas isn’t alone in all this.
Nearly half the states in the country prohibit liquor sales on Christmas.
Chicotsky said he recommends that those planning to imbibe stock up as soon as they can — whether for Christmas or New Year’s Day — just to make sure they have plenty of options.
“It would be nice if they came in early to stock up, not just at the last minute,” he said.
