Jon VanDamme takes on new role as city’s liquor store manager

Jon VanDamme, former Coborn’s director and long-time Glencoe resident, has had a successful first month as liquor store manager. He began on Sept. 19 and took the place of Sue Deckert, who retired mid-September.
For VanDamme, the liquor store manager position came at an opportune time. “I was looking for a job and the timing just turned out right,” said VanDamme.
VanDamme said that since being hired, he has spent a lot of time learning the ins and outs of the liquor business.
“The tendencies, the buying … the buying is done a lot differently than it was in grocery retail. Other than that, I’ve been learning the products. People expect you to be an expert and I’m not yet. But I’m learning a lot. I’ve been sampling different wines, asking and reading about wines and looking up information about liquor and spirits, etc.,” said VanDamme.
VanDamme has been working on store changes in terms of displays, promotions and new products. Glencoe Wine and Spirits recently brought in a larger selection of bourbon and continues to run the Beer of the Month Program, which does very well. The store also started its Wine of the Month Program (this month it is the Yellowtail brand of wine). In the future, VanDamme and the city intend to start a Spirit of the Month as well.
For more about the new manager of Glencoe Wine and Spirits, see the Oct. 18 print edition of The Chronicle.