Campus Liquor officially closed its doors at midnight Saturday, ending a 27-month run at their location on the northwest corner of Fourth and Green street. Co-owners Sital Patel and Major Singh opened the store in fall 2011, replacing what had previously been Colonial Pantry Food Store. Campus Liquor will be completely moved out of the space by the end of Tuesday, Patel said. Its owners plan to take a “much-needed” vacation until the fall of next year, when they will reopen the store underneath the new apartment building that is under construction on the northwest corner of Second and Green street. The store will be renamed Campus Pantry and will carry grocery items, such as milk and eggs, in addition to liquor, Patel said. 

Their move from Fourth and Green street makes room for a high-rise apartment complex currently in its design phase, which will be erected where IHOP and Campus Liquor currently stand. As a joint venture between two Chicago-based development firms, HERE and Campus Acquisitions, the project will break ground in November and is scheduled to open for the 2015-2016 school year. According to HERE developer James Letchinger, the complex aims to be “the finest student living option on campus in terms of design, location and amenities.” The tower will be sixteen stories and feature retail space on the first floor. 

On Saturday, however, Campus Liquor was open for business for its last day until next fall. Students decked out in Homecoming gear came and went. According to Patel, the owners saw a good turnout for the last day of business, selling most of what was left in stock. 

Madeline Lloyd, senior in LAS, said she wanted to frequent the store one last time to say thank you to Patel and Singh. Most seniors will not be here next year when the store reopens. 

“It’s always a little sad when any place on campus closes down, especially when it’s a part of your college years,” she said. 

Lloyd said she was a sophomore when the store opened and believes the store’s success can be attributed to its convenient location for students and the friendliness of Patel and Singh.

“Whenever you go in there they are so nice; they always make conversation with you,” she said.

Patel said that his favorite memories from owning Campus Liquor for the past two years have come from meeting and talking to customers and many expressed concern when they heard the store was closing. Smiling, he remembered some of their comments, such as, “We’re going to miss you guys, now we have to walk far to another liquor store.” 

Patel also credits the store’s popularity among students to their deals and location in campustown. Deals are advertised by the store on the business’ Facebook page, where they disseminate most of their information. Students should also look to the page next year for more information about Campus Liquor’s new location. Until then, the store’s “regulars” will have to find another liquor store to frequent. 

Bridget can be reached at [email protected].