By Mitchell A. Skurzewski
Reporter
Eric Dayton says drive-thru liquor stores are common down South and in big cities. He has brought the convenient option to Merrill with In & Out Beer & Liquor, located at 701 E. 2nd Street.
“I’ve been selling Merrill on this, it isn’t a new invention,” Dayton said. “They’ve been around for a while in Madison and Milwaukee and in the southern states.”
Dayton was driving to pick up a trailer in Indiana, when he went through a drive-thru liquor store. He loved, it but quickly found himself wondering why there weren’t any in central Wisconsin. Dayton made the determination he was going to start a drive-thru beer and liquor store in Merrill. He went through the drive-thru and made notes of things he liked and maybe some improvements. Within a month him Dayton’s and his girlfriend Danielle’s (Faulkner) store was open.
“I got back and decided in a few weeks to just go with the idea,” he said.
There is an array of choices like your staple beers, Cider Boys, wines, soda, spiked sparkling water, hard teas, Bloody Mary & margarita mixes. The Daytons have more and more products coming in as they up their stock for summer. They are hoping the wine sales take off as the weather gets nicer.
One popular item that people have clamored for is spiked sparkling water, Dayton said. CBD Oil has also been flying off the shelves, Eric Dayton said.
As Danielle explains, the pair have enjoyed a successful start since their mid-December opening.
“We have gotten a great reception,” Danielle said. “We were a little concerned about that at first with a new business but it’s been great.”
There is a big-screen TV at the drive-thru window that scrolls with all of the options at the liquor store.
The thing the Dayton’s have wanted for their customers is convenience. They have a website and easy access to their inventory list. The Daytons have an app called Clover Order Kiosk and the number is J74J2, on Androids. While the transaction cannot be completed via the app – ID has to be scanned at In & Out – the Daytons can have your order ready for you upon arrival at the store.
“People once they try it won’t turn back,” Danielle said. “Every time someone new comes they are surprised how quick and easy it is.”