A first-generation Florida family-owned business is an accomplishment.
A second-generation Florida family-owned business is commendable.
A third-generation Florida family-owned business is a rarity.
But a fourth-generation Florida family-owned business is downright unheard of – unless, of course, you’re talking about ABC Fine Wine & Spirits.
ABC’s motto is to “Always Be Celebrating,” but with 2026 marking ABC’s 90th year serving the Sunshine State, we’ve got extra cause to raise a glass.
In honor of ABC’s 90th anniversary, take a walk with us down memory lane...
...all the way back to 1936 on the corner of North Orange Avenue and Wall Street in downtown Orlando. Jack Holloway’s Friendly Neighborhood Bar had just opened its doors to Orlando’s residents and visitors looking to wet their whistles. Prohibition had ended just three years prior. Young Jack saw his opportunity to capitalize on the growing liquor business and seized it.
He made a plan to open more locations across the Orlando area under the name ABC Liquors – so the stores would always be the first in the phone book, of course.
Longtime Floridians will remember when ABCs were small counter stores with attached cocktail lounges back in the day, but younger residents or folks who moved here after the ‘80s probably wouldn’t recognize the ABCs of yesteryear. Indeed, the knotty pine-lined walls and leopard print carpeted floors of these bars and lounges are a far cry from the sleek, neatly arranged aisles of today’s stores.
When Jack passed the torch to his grandson and current CEO Charles Bailes in 1994, that’s when ABC began shifting toward the modern, clean, service-driven wine and spirits stores guests know and love today. It’s no secret that liquor stores can be seedy places if managed improperly; Charles wanted ABC to be a place where anyone (especially women) felt comfortable shopping at any time of day or night.
For the ladies reading this, shopping at an ABC versus another wine or spirits store is not unlike the difference between stopping at a Wawa instead of a Circle K to use the restroom and get a snack. It’s just a no-brainer.
Charles is a simple guy. He loves golfing, his family and providing guests in his stores with a great experience.
He often asks store teams to recall the last time they experienced truly phenomenal customer service. Sadly, most folks scratch their heads and fail to produce an example.
Charles knows that this is his – is ABC’s – opportunity to shine. Retail isn’t rocket science, it’s just about doing one thing consistently well. Especially in today’s age of self-checkout and online ordering, this isn’t a difficult shopping landscape to stand out in if a retailer is committed to going the extra mile with customer service.
That’s exactly what Charles aims for. ABC invested heavily (and continues to invest) in store expansion and remodeling in the ‘90s and 2000s. The 125+ stores all over the state are a joy to walk around, sure. But what about when you’re looking for the perfect bottle of tequila for your son-in-law's birthday? What about when you want to impress your wife with a gorgeous steak and wine pairing for dinner tonight? What about when you’re having a bad day and just want to pick up something that will make you smile when you uncork it at home? That’s where great customer service makes all the difference.
“I tell team members all the time, we’re the only place in the world where every customer who walks through the door is celebrating something,” Charles said. “We’re in the relationship business. That makes it easy to stay passionate about serving people.”
And Charles’ committment to great service isn’t confined to stores, either. Grandpa Jack instilled the value of being a good corporate citizen in his children and grandchildren, primarily through his support of United Cerebral Palsy. UCP of Central Florida remains ABC’s primary philanthropic focus to this day, with support also going to Pediatric Cancer Foundation, Coastal Conservation Association, Dogs Inc. and more.
Charles sees ABC’s brand promise as three-pronged: to guests, to team members and to communities. One is not more important than the others; all are essential for the legacy of exceptional service he hopes to lead.
A business has to learn to adapt to consumer preferences if it wants to live past its first 10 years. For many businesses, it seems like the choice lies between staying nimble and staying true to its core values.
ABC has never had to choose, and never will. We’ll keep offering the bottles you love to more and more of our friends in other states, but we’re never going to lose our family values. That’s a promise.
Thank you for 90 amazing years. Let’s celebrate them together.
We’re looking forward to another 90 years as your hometown wine and spirits store. Find your nearest store and pay us a visit today. Promise?
