ALABASTER- Alabaster Spirits, a new liquor store located next to the Chevron on Alabama 119, celebrated its grand opening on Friday, June 2.

“We want our customers to enjoy a one-stop shop where they can get everything and anything they need,” Chevron and Alabaster Spirits owner Amaan Porbandarwala said.

Porbandarwala, who owns several businesses in Shelby County, said he was partially inspired to open the liquor store as an extension of the Chevron after he received some business advice from his brother.

“We started it as an addedWe had extra space here, and a liquor store was the easiest fit,” Porbandarwala said. “My brother used to own a liquor store, and he told me it was a very lucrative business.”

At the June 2 opening, Porbandarwala said visitors participated in a corn hole tournament, received door prizes and enjoyed a cook-out with free non-alcoholic drinks and live music. So far, Porbandarwala said business has been good.

“We have had a great response from the community around here,” Porbandarwala said.

Porbandarwala said he also made sure to include a large wine selection.

“A lot of customers won’t find a huge wine selection at a gas station,” Porbandarwala said.

Because many stores run by the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board close early in the evening, other liquor stores have the opportunity to charge more. While Alabaster Spirits does mark up prices to a small degree, Porbandarwala said the goal is to provide liquor to the community at an affordable cost.

“We want our customers to enjoy the same prices after 7 p.m.,” Porbandarwala said.