Mark O’Callaghan is CEO of Exit 9 Wine & Liquor Warehouse in Clifton Park, NY & just celebrated their 20th Anniversary. With the help of some smart bankers & friends, he opened the business on November 1, 2001 in a 10,000 sq. ft. retail location. They have since made 2 moves within the same plaza & now operate from a 37,500 sq. ft. free standing building.
Mark started his career with alcohol sales at 18 as a bartender in Staten Island, NY. A Budweiser Manager recruited him a few years later as a Budweiser Salesman. He worked in Staten Island for 3 years before moving to Albany to represent Gallo Wine. At the time he left Gallo, he was the NYS Sales Managing Trainer where he traveled the state training new managers & reps. This offered him the opportunity to see what NY State offered in way of alcohol sales, and it was then he realized the Capital Region was missing something - a location that could do it all, from boutique wines to discount alcohol sales.
Over the 20 years, Mark has seen explosive growth in the Capital Region & Clifton Park/Halfmoon specifically, & feels honored to have been able to grow with the community. Since opening, he has also gained competitors in the market who have a similar business model, which he feels only makes everyone better.
Mark & Exit 9 Wine & Liquor have supported countless charities in the Capital Region. They are proud supporters the St. Peter's ALS Center Golf Tournament, and recently got involved with the Stand Up To Parkinson's Golf Tournament. Mark has served on the boards of the Special Olympics New York & Colonie Senior Services.
Looking to the future, Mark shared that while he hopes to see his business grow, having a bigger footprint is not necessarily the goal, and that's due to the increase in online sales. His son & 2 son-in-laws both work for him & he hopes to make this a multi-generational business.
Exit 9 Wine & Liquor Warehouse employs approximately 50 employees in the Capital Region, with roughly half of them as full time employees.
Listen to the full interview below to learn more about Mark O’Callaghan & Exit 9 Wine & Liquor Warehouse. If you'd like to contact them, click here.
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