Applejack Wine & Spirits, the Colorado liquor staple that got its start in Wheat Ridge in 1961, has officially been sold to Florida-based ABC Fine Wine & Spirits. The deal covers Applejack’s three large-format shops in Wheat Ridge, Thornton, and Colorado Springs, which the buyer says will keep operating under the Applejack banner as “Applejack by ABC.” The companies announced the acquisition at the end of January, and the sale price has not been disclosed.
What ABC Says
In a press release via PR Newswire, ABC Fine Wine & Spirits called the purchase its first out-of-state acquisition in 90 years and framed it as the launch of a national expansion. The company said the three Colorado locations will run as Applejack by ABC and that it plans store remodels and new walk-in humidors at the sites within the first six months. “Applejack has an exceptional reputation and is an iconic beverage retailer in Colorado,” ABC chairman and CEO Charles Bailes III said in the release.
Applejack's Local Legacy
Longtime Applejack CEO Jim Shpall told The Denver Post that the business traces back to a single Wheat Ridge storefront opened in 1961 and that the familiar Applejack sign at that site has been in place since about 1962. The Post noted that Applejack has been run by just three people over roughly 65 years and that owners have not disclosed the sale price. Shpall, who started at Applejack in 1994, said he has known Bailes for about 30 years and welcomed the buyer as a steward of the brand.
Industry Context And Scale
Applejack’s footprint in the industry has been significant. The company and Shpall were named Market Watch’s Retailer of the Year in 2024, a recognition highlighted in a BusinessWire release that also details the stores’ deep SKU counts and large format footprints. That kind of scale helps explain ABC’s interest as the Florida family-owned chain looks to secure a foothold outside its home market.
What Customers Can Expect
Both companies say shoppers should expect continuity in selection and service even as the stores get a facelift. Industry reporting notes that ABC has grown to more than 125 locations across Florida as it starts pushing into a national expansion. Local reaction has been mixed online. Some longtime customers are nervous about pricing and consolidation, while others are more focused on whether ABC will bring in vault releases or other allocated drops, as seen in a local discussion on Reddit. For now, ABC and Applejack say they plan to preserve the brand’s staff and community ties while carrying out planned remodels and adding humidity-controlled wine storage.
On the financial side, details remain scarce. The companies have not shared how much ABC paid for the chain, and customers as well as industry watchers will be keeping a close eye on the coming months to see how the change in ownership affects pricing, allocations, and the in-store experience.
