CBS 19 - The Eye of East Texas News - Beer Flying off the Shelves in Rusk

Beer Flying off the Shelves in Rusk

By Amanda Kost

Skeeter's convenience store in Rusk is getting a make-over to make room for a major moneymaker.  "We added this area over here, we're going to have to move our cash register to accommodate the new door and basically move everything in the whole store around," explained Skeeter Irby.

Construction isn't complete, but inside this cooler is definitely on.  They're calling this the beer cave. Wall to wall stacked with cases of beer. They're hoping the chilly temperatures bring in even more customers. "Oh they've probably doubled or tripled and it's because of the new cooler and beer sales and it's going to be great for the economy of Rusk.  We're getting people from Jacksonville, Alto, and of course all the surrounding areas of Rusk that don't have to go to especially Cuney," added Irby.

The booming booze business in Rusk has drained off sales in Cuney, and the company that owns these two liquor stores wants a piece of the Rusk action.  "We're building a new store there," said Nicole Reedy the Associate Manager at Fat Dog Liquor in Cuney.

Reedy said the company is building a new beer and wine store in Rusk, right across the street from Skeeter's.  "Hopefully we'll get those customers back and then we can build our clientele back up and be able to compete," explained Reedy.

In the meantime, the beer cave at Skeeter's will be stocked with cold ones.