Bottles Wine & Spirits’ Owner Dipak Patel.

Bottles Wine & Spirits
998 State Street
New Haven, CT

Square footage: 900

Years in operation: 8 years

By Sara Capozzi

Celebrating eight years in business this August, Bottles Wine & Spirits continues to bring its unique selection of wine, spirits and beer to its neighborhood customers on State Street.

Owner Dipak Patel purchased the business, previously named Rani Liquor Store, in August 2016 when he learned it was for sale through a mutual friend of the former owner. After working at Super 66 Liquors in Southington for three years, he found that the setting of Bottles’ building was just what he was looking for.

“This is a great location in New Haven, it’s a nice neighborhood,” Patel said. “It’s a perfect food street, all restaurant people work here and there are a lot of friendly people in this neighborhood.” Patel and his small team offer a lot of specialized service to customers, often recommending items to them as they head out to an event or to one of the BYOB restaurants in the area.

According to Patel, the shop gets a steady influx of customers, between 100 to 200 people per day, many on foot, with about 70% of the clientele hailing from the neighborhood around Edward and Orange streets and the remaining 30% stop in from the nearby highway. In general, customers are younger shoppers, 21 and over, who attend or work at nearby universities such as Yale and medical professionals from nearby hospitals and medical practices. Each August and January bring an influx of new customers to the shop as students and faculty get ready to begin the semester.

At just 900 square feet, Bottles is a boutique store and Patel is selective about the items he brings in. “My first priority is what is the customer looking for,” he said. “And it’s important to me that I offer customers a selection that they may not find anywhere else.

“At a package store, convenience is [shoppers’] first priority,” Patel said. “Along with great customer service. My clientele appreciates my selection of wines, spirits, and beer and that I rotate them seasonally.”

According to Patel, beer makes up about 40% of sales at Bottles, with wine and liquor each making up 30%. The shop offers an eclectic variety of wines from around the world from both big-name and smaller family-owned wineries, with customers tending to gravitate toward varietals from France, Italy and Spain. Craft beer and IPAs are some of the store’s most popular items, especially local craft beer, along with Mexican, international and domestic beer.

The shop regularly gains new customers through word of mouth from its loyal customer base. “I appreciate all of my regulars,” he said. “Over the years, I’ve become friends with many of the people in the neighborhood.”

Patel and his team prioritize great customer service and work daily to provide guests with a positive shopping experience, keeping the bright shop neat and orderly with selections arranged on light wooden shelving. “One of my priorities is that people like shopping here,” he said. “And if they have any questions, we’re happy to help.”