Have you ever noticed a business with a unique name out of the corner of your eye and looked twice to see exactly what it is and what it has to offer? That’s what Cork Monkey owner John Nissen hopes will happen to attract customers into his new wine and spirits store located in the Tops Plaza in Manlius.
“Everything with the word ‘liquor’ in it has been already been done,” Nissen said. “I figured I needed something different, and the worst thing that could happen would be if somebody didn’t like the name, then they’re at least probably going to say, ‘It’s that goofy named place that sells liquor.’ In which case it’s served it’s purpose.”
Cork Monkey, located in the former Limestone Liquors building, is a business built on excellent customer service and the fulfillment of customer wants and needs in creating personal wine and liquor collections, Nissen said.
“Without the customers, I don’t have anything,” he said. “That’s the biggest and most important part of a business. I want to have good customer service and have products customers are looking for. Not trying to sell them something that they may not want is important.”
Nissen, a resident of Minoa, said he worked for a liquor distribution company for about 10 years, and Limestone Liquors was one of his customers. After more than 20 years in the business, the owners of Limestone Liquors decided to sell their store, and Nissen saw an opportunity to begin a business in what he believes is an “under-served market” in Manlius.
“I think there’s opportunity and potential out here. I think there’s a consumer who is underserved, and I think I can offer prices that are extremely competitive with the bigger retailers in town. I want to make people think twice about driving five miles extra to save a dollar,” Nissen said.
Cork Monkey offers local and international wine and spirit selections for both beginners and those who are already knowledgable, said Nissen.
The store has been open since the end of October and Nissen said his family and friends were instrumental in helping open the business with success.
Over the next few months, Nissen hopes to add more wine and liquor selections to the store and wants to start having tastings on the weekends.
“I’m always adding more, especially right now. I’m putting in a lot of new inventory and the New York state section is something I want to revamp soon,” Nissen said.
Cork Monkey is located in the Tops Plaza at 119 W. Seneca St. in Manlius.
Hayleigh Gowans is a reporter for the Eagle Bulletin. She can be reached at [email protected].
