New business in LC (Las Cruces, Mesilla: appointed, lease, co-op)

[AmberLynn]

I believe Vintage in Mesilla might know something. That is a GREAT place!

[tecpatl]

Go talk to Nicky at Vintage in Mesilla. She can sell any wine made in New Mexico and does a nice job with it.
You're correct...you have to be a wine producer to do this. While you're in Mesilla visit the Luna Rossa tasting room and the Bistro across the street, also owned by a wine producer.

[tecpatl]

Forgot to mention that Luna Rossa is in the Mercado de Mesilla on the way to LC.

[ronster]

I have spoken to Nicky and Brian, they are great. You seem to have a good handle on Las Cruces, thanks for the input.

[ronster]

OK Las Crucens, one more question...Can anyone suggest the source for answers on the liquor licence question. I'm interested in knowing the various kinds of licenses available.

[ibarrio]

Originally Posted by ronster

OK Las Crucens, one more question...Can anyone suggest the source for answers on the liquor licence question. I'm interested in knowing the various kinds of licenses available.

Welcome to the New Mexico
Regulation and Licensing Department

[tecpatl]

Originally Posted by ronster

OK Las Crucens, one more question...Can anyone suggest the source for answers on the liquor licence question. I'm interested in knowing the various kinds of licenses available.

Hope ya have a nice big checkbook, ronster...I'm amazed at how much a license costs in New Mexico. A full license in Michigan, my home state, is around 80 grand n the open market. It's a lot more dinero here in NM.
A friend of mine who reps for a wine distributor tells me that NM hasn't issued new licenses in decades. That may be for certain types...I don't know. Good luck!

[ronster]

Big checkbook is right! So sad that LC seems so intent on restricting liquor sales, especially since the wine culture seems to want to take hold. Why is that? I can get a beer and wine license in California for less than $1,000. Oh well, maybe I'll open a car wash, or what you really seem to need...another burger joint!

[fnord]

Ronster,

I moved here and was also interested in opening a beer/wine bar type of place. I took a few of the classes from Dona Ana Comm College as mentioned above, just for information. From what I gather, having a full liquor license is basically out of the question (far too expensive, if that's what you're after). However, getting a beer/wine license is affordable and doable - something in the neighborhood of $600/year, if I'm not mistaken. The small business classes can get you all the info you need.

But, the other thing to consider is the market. Only a small sector of the population is of the wine bar/microbrew mentality. I had a vision to open a cozy bar serving wine, microbrews/imports, unique menu items, and have free-wifi, games, etc. I think to do so you'd have to be located as close to NMSU as possible. Most people here seem to buy an 18 pack of Bud Light and call it a day. High Desert Brewpub is successful, but they have a small clientele that keeps them going. Being a competitor might be tough.

[tecpatl]

Originally Posted by ronster

Big checkbook is right! So sad that LC seems so intent on restricting liquor sales, especially since the wine culture seems to want to take hold. Why is that? I can get a beer and wine license in California for less than $1,000. Oh well, maybe I'll open a car wash, or what you really seem to need...another burger joint!

Ohhh yeah..maybe a nice Mexican restaurant serving typical ordinary food! You can NEVER have enough boring mediocre beans n rice to go with the same old enchiladas everyone else in town serves. Certainly not enough of THOSE around.. You could include nice Las Cruces thin dry hamburgers also! LOL.
If food isn't your thing, LC could certainly use another auto parts or tire store, there isn't one on every block YET, though i think Income tax preparers who also do payday loans and cash checks have finally reached every single block in town. lol
Sounds like you and fnord should be sitting down for a large cold one at High Desert and brainstorming. There's lots of opportunity out there...you just need to find that niche and fill it. I hate to see creative and forward looking people go elsewhere. Good luck err...I mean Bueno Suerte!