Clarke Beverages II is officially open making it the first package liquor store in Statesboro.
What’s New: The store is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Clarkes is located at 607 Brannen Street.
Before Clarke Beverages, many residents of Statesboro traveled to Metter or even Pooler to purchase liquor. The owner, Bradley Clarke, also owns a package store in Newington.
“Our main point wasn’t college. It’s mainly the older generation, the doctors or lawyers’, stuff like that,” said cashier, Olivia Christine.
Although their sole purpose isn’t to cater to GS students, the store is expected to have thousands of college students as customers when school starts back.
“But inevitably, we can’t not push to college students because once they come back into town, we’re going to be hit with 20,000 plus people,” said Christine.
In order to enforce the use of ID’s, Clarkes registers have a verify age system. “Every time we scan a bottle, a verified age box pops up, and it shows the date they’re supposed to be,” said Christine.
Clarke Beverages has already had multiple items out of stock due to their growing customer base.
Even though the store has only been open for two weeks, they have already experienced use of fake identification cards, but the establishment has handled these situations well.
“We scan their ID’s, a box pops up saying date not valid, or it pops up saying none of age,” said Christine.
Clarke Beverages II will benefit Statesboro by “keeping the revenue and saving locals from traveling to the next town over for the purchase of alcohol,” said Christine.