The Pettyjohn Spirit Lives On

When done right, a local mom-and-pop shop thrives, not only because of a loyal customer base but because it grows up with the neighbors it serves.

And for a textbook example, look no further than Pettyjohn’s Liquor and Wine in Boulder’s Table Mesa Shopping Center.

In December, the store will celebrate 40 years in business with free weekly tastings of local beer and distilled spirits as well as notable wines from around the world.
“We are a neighborhood liquor store run by wine, liquor and beer geeks,” said Ann Coppinger, who, with husband Chris, owns and runs the shop that was launched in 1969 (with Boulder’s first liquor license after alcohol sales in the city was legalized) by Jon and Marie Pettyjohn. “We wouldn’t be here without the Table Mesa neighborhood.”
The Coppingers, under the tutelage of the Pettyjohn’s, grew and prospered with the store, eventually buying the business from their mentors in 1997.

“When I moved here, people were drinking Riunite and Boon’s Farm—whatever was cheap and would give them a buzz,” Ann said. “But over the years, Table Mesa’s tastes have become more sophisticated and we’ve grown with the neighborhood.”

That growth is reflected in Ann’s evolution from knowing nothing about wine (and not even drinking the stuff), to being a certified wine specialist and diploma candidate for the Master of Wine designation through London’s internationally acclaimed Wine and Spirit Education Trust. Chris, too, has completed WSET’s spirits certification.

The Coppingers’ wine and spirit smarts is reflected in the quality and variety of the products they offer. Ann can set you up with a robust, delicious California cabernet for less than $10 or expand your horizons with a divine South African cabernet from Stark-Conde Three Pines Vineyards for four times that.

The diverse knowledge base the Coppingers bring to Pettyjohn’s is reason enough to stop by, but the friendly, familial feel that has been a hallmark of the shop for 40 years will keep you coming back.

Pettyjohn’s Liquor and Wine, 613 S. Broadway, Boulder, 303.499.2337, pettyjohns.com

Map my Draught
The third edition of the Beer Drinker’s Guide to Colorado is out, and it’s beautiful. All 121 breweries, microbreweries and brew pubs are marked by numbered pint glasses on the full color map of the state on one side and a bushel of beer information on the other, like locations of homebrew supply stores, bars with notable selections of beer and historic taverns. You can purchase the 27-by-40-inch creation of Mike Laur, Rick Mazzola, Zenia Brink and Kevin Cook for $12.95 from bdg2c.com. And it comes with coupons for more than $100 in free beer at breweries around the state.

They’re Heeeeere
The long wait for the Longmont opening of Oskar Blues Home Made Liquids and Solids ended Oct. 12 with the rambunctious debut of this live music venue just off the Diagonal Highway at Hover Road. Apart from a couple mainstream beers, there are 43 craft beer taps offering a fantastic selection of local, regional and national beers. But best of all is the intimate, live music “loft” above the main bar that seats 76 but certainly fits more, as evidenced when Hazel Miller rocked the joint on opening night.

Make That a Double
In order to meet the rapidly growing demand for 303 Vodka, owner and distiller Steve Viezbicke doubled the size of his distillery space to 3,000 square feet in October by moving into a warehouse next door to his original space at 2500 47th St. in Boulder. The gluten free vodka is made with locally grown potatoes and Rocky Mountain spring water and can be found in upward of 150 liquor stores and restaurants around the state. In the coming months, after Viezbicke gets his production caught back up with demand, look for a new tasting room and vodka bar to come online. 303vodka.com