Liquor Basket

361 Reservoir Avenue

Providence, RI

Square footage: 3,200

Years in operation: 2½  years

By Sara Capozzi

Conveniently located in the Ocean State Plaza off of Reservoir Avenue, Liquor Basket has brought friendly service and a comprehensive selection to its neighborhood for two and half years. Run daily by General Manager Harsh Patel and a close-knit team, the store’s customer base is built on its commitment to quality.

Liquor Basket offers a diverse selection for shoppers in an attractive, well-lit interior, which was recently updated. According to Owner Harry Patel, the 3,200-square-foot space was previously a spa. “I purchased the license from a shop near Providence College and we moved it over here,” he said.

The relocation was a good idea, as the plaza’s anchor, Market Basket, brings in plenty of foot traffic. Patel named the store Liquor Basket because of its proximity to that store. He completely revamped the space, installing new flooring, shelving and coolers. “This is a good location for us,” he said. “It’s doing good. People are happy; customers are happy.”

Wine is a popular category at Liquor Basket and the shelves are stocked with plenty of bargain wine brands, along with top-selling higher-end selections from wineries around the world. Shoppers will find a vast selection of bourbons with some allocated items among the mix and a well-rounded offering of tequila, which is one of the store’s most popular categories, according to Patel.

With more than 20 cooler doors and a convenient walk-in section, guests are able to find all of their favorite craft beer, seltzer and ready-to-drink selections nicely chilled and ready to enjoy. Additionally, an array of white, sparkling and rosé wines can be found in the coolers.

The team at Liquor Basket sets themselves apart from competitors with their attentive customer service. They regularly take customer requests and keep in-demand items in stock. “It’s based on customer preferences—they let us know what they like,” Patel said.

The store continues to build its regular client base, gaining new customers as a result of the accommodating and friendly service. “People love the staff,” he said, noting that the team is happy to provide recommendations to shoppers.

Liquor Basket offers promotional items and passes on savings to its customers. More perks include its regular in-store tastings, giving customers the chance to try before they buy and find their next favorite product. Patel and his team plan to build a store website where customers can shop and order.

Patel owns several package stores in Massachusetts, but Liquor Basket is his first shop in Rhode Island. He plans to continue to diversify with more Liquor Basket locations in the future. “That’s our goal, to have multiple stores under the same name,” he said.