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• Best Liqour Store: Friar Tuck Beverage

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Friar Tuck Beverage »
Address: 1333 Savoy Plaza Lane Savoy, IL 61874
Phone: (217) 355-7933
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Friar Tuck, the defending champions for “Best Liquor Store,” take the prize again in 2009.

With its wide variety of alcohol and its friendly team, the store has built a strong following, making it the alcohol destination in CU for all occasions.

After opening locations in Springfield and Peoria, Mark Maskey, the owner of the liquor store chain, said the CU area was the next obvious place to open a store. The Friar Tuck in Savoy opened in December 2003, and has been CU’s go to for booze ever since. Although Maskey agrees the store is further away from the patrons in the CU area, he finds many are willing to travel extra miles for the massive selection of alcohol the store has to offer.

“Part of our mission ... is to offer the most extensive selection of wine, beer, spirits and related merchandise that we possibly can,” said Maskey.

The store carries a variety of alcohol, from inexpensive to high-end spirits all ranging from well-known brands to that elusive brew. Friar Tuck’s unique deals also offers customers a range of options that can’t be found in town. Special offers like “pick-a-six,” where patrons can create their own six pack of beers, allows shoppers to fully experience the stores variety.

Along with the selection, patrons also attribute the store’s success to the helpful and knowledgeable employees.

Holton explained that the employees are not only friendly, but they are also well versed in the products the store offer. They can suggest several different drinks based on your tastes.

For Maskey, the selection he offers and the employees he has in his store help make the experience special for customers from entry to exit.

“I want them to have an experience ... they can’t see or get anywhere else,” he said.

As for plans for 2010, Maskey said he and his employees are going to maintain the factors that keep bringing them success in the hopes of winning “Best CU Liquor store” for the third year in a row.