518-377-9430
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Contact: Jim Salengo | 518-377-9430
Englebardt’s Wine & Liquor Store Celebrates Grand Opening Under New Ownership
SCHENECTADY, NY – June 17, 2022 – Englebardt’s Wine & Liquor Store, a Downtown Schenectady mainstay since 1946, celebrated its grand opening under new ownership today during a ribbon cutting ceremony coordinated by the Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corporation (DSIC). Tom Woods, a native of Altamont, NY, took over the retail store located at 511 Union Street exactly one year ago on June 17, 2021. He is the third owner of the popular location since the Englebardt family originated the business 76 years ago.
“I am honored by how welcoming and supportive Schenectady has been throughout our first year and look forward to serving the community for years to come,” said Woods.
Woods, who turned 26 earlier this week, knew he had an entrepreneurial mindset at an early age. He worked a series of jobs at several businesses that he was interested in owning one day, including a pizza shop, a landscaping company and, finally, a liquor store. To foster his passion for business further, Woods earned an associate degree in Business Administration from Hudson Valley Community College and a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with concentrations in entrepreneurship and human resources from Siena College.
Woods credits much of his success to his family and his former employers Niko Kita (Brickhouse Pizza) and Anne Gallo (Niskayuna Specialty Wines & Liquors), who taught him a great deal about small business. “Some of my favorite aspects of the retail liquor business are how physically active the job allows me to be, as well as the inventory management and the math that goes along with it,” Woods said.
“It’s always exciting to see young entrepreneurs invest in Downtown Schenectady,” said Jim Salengo, executive director of the DSIC. “I applaud Tom for embracing this longtime business while also making his own changes and updates to attract additional customers.”
Woods has expanded the product selection at Englebardt’s to accommodate the diverse population of Schenectady and works continually to curate a better selection based upon customer requests. New offerings under Woods’ ownership include product delivery through DoorDash and a points club through which regular customers can earn rewards.
Englebardt’s Wine & Liquor Store is open Monday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. For more information, call 518-372-4788 or email englebardts@gmail.com
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