Business: Jay’s Food & Liquor
Address: 535 Fairway Drive, Naperville
Phone: 630-420-7113
Owner: David Patel, 59, of Plainfield
Years in business: 27
What does your business do? “We have snacks, liquor, beer, wine, water, candy, cookies, chips,” Patel said.
Why did you open this store? “Well, they were building (the strip mall) and I thought to put a store here. I was one of the first tenants.”
What were you doing for work before? “I owned a liquor store in downtown Chicago. Ten years. I was working there, bought it and started my career. And here we are. … I moved out this way with my family so I was looking for something closer.”
How are things going? “The business is going good.”
Is there a busy time of year? “It gets busier in the summer. People are out more. This is the convenience store for people who don’t want to drive (far).”
Where are your customers from? “Most of them live in the area. Neighborhood customers. Some come every day. We take good care of our customers. They appreciate that. We are so glad to have them.”
You’re not the only liquor store in town. What about competition? “There are so many (stores) out there. … We offer competitive pricing here. We are similarly priced with other stores. … It is tough, but we just have to pull through.”
Do you offer sales? “Yes, we do offer sales here and there. Some beer on sale. Some liquor on sale.”
Are most of your sales alcoholic beverages? “Most of it is liquor and beer.
Where are you from? “I am from India. I moved here when I was really young. My wife was here.”
Did you ever think as a kid in India you’d own a liquor store in America? “No, never. I just happened to be here and I had to do something. … It is a tough business. You’re not going to be a millionaire but you make a living.”
How’s it going for you in America? “It’s going very good. I like it. It’s a good life. I am a U.S. citizen.”
What do you like about owning a store? “It’s good when you work for yourself. … I make all the decisions.”
How do you know what to order? “We keep track on the computer. We go from the list, how much we sell for the last three months. … In a store, you know what’s selling. You know you’re going to need this or that.”
Do you order from one supplier? “We have lots of suppliers. Bunch of different ones.”
What’s popular these days? “The beer. Hard liquor. It varies. People buy whiskey, vodka, tequila. The bourbon whiskey is hot right now.”
What’s the next big thing? “It’s going toward tequila. I don’t know why. It goes in cycles. Tequila then something else. The business model is always changing.”
What about Binny’s and other big chains? “There are big, man. Every town. … They get special pricing we don’t get. … We provide different services. We know the customer by name. People appreciate that. We know what the customer wants.”
Is this a good location for business? “Yes, for me. I’ve been here since 1999.”
Is there a busy time of day? “We usually get busy in the afternoon.”
What are your hours? “We open at 10 o’clock (and are open) every day until 11 at night.”
Are you here all the time? “I am here until 6 o’clock. Then, an employee takes over.”
Do you get bored? “No, I don’t get bored. I always have something to do. … I like being here every day, working (and) seeing the people I know. I do love my job. … You have to like your work.”
Is there anything you don’t like? “No.”
How many people work here? “Four.”
Do you plan to open a second store? “No, now I’m not. I’m just going to stay here. I was thinking about it. Not anymore.”
What else do you sell? “We do sell wine.”
Are lottery tickets still big sellers? “It’s here and there. There are a lot of gambling parlors out there. People don’t play the lottery like they used to.”
Do you ever get back to India? “I do go every couple of years. It’s a long flight. I go for a couple weeks.”
Who is Jay? “That’s my son’s name.”
What’s your advice for someone starting a business? “I wish them good luck. Everybody has a right to do what they want to do. … If you need my help, I’d be more than happy to help.”
Steve Metsch is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun. If you know of a business you’d like to see profiled in Down to Business, contact him at metschmsfl@yahoo.com.
