The opening of Duncan Stewarts new liquor store heralds a first for Esperance.

The Lquor store operating as an adjunct to the already established supermarket is open from 8.30am to 8.30pm Monday to Saturday.

All types of wines,spirits and beer are available with the emphasis on service to the public of the drinks of their choice at the lowest possible price.

The completion of the building of the liquor store and the granting of a licence to begin trading has not been without difficulties. In September 1972 Mr Duncan Stewart was granted a provisional certificate by the licening court which stipulated that he could not start trading until October 31st 1973.Because of the present increase in the building industry building the store was slightly delayed by Mr Stewart being unable to engage a builder. After some difficulty a local conrtractor was engaged and the liquor store was completed succesfully.

 A corrugated iron shed used as a storeroom was demolished to make way for the new liquor store.

Prior to the building of the liquor store tentative moves for a liquor licence had been made over 6yrs ago but Mr Stewart decided not persue it as he felt at the time the town did not warrant the expense of building it. The new store built of brick is approximately 26ft by 24ft and was built at an estimated cost of $ 25,000.

 Mr Duncan Stewart began in Esperance as a grocer in 1956 on a site where the caltex service station now stands. Owing to a fire which burnt out his premises and also the bank of NSW he was forced to move to a new site. In 1958 he had a new store built on the corner of Andrew street and the Esplanade. At the time the supermarket was one of the best buildings in Esperance.

In 1963 he moved into his present store in Andrew street and has succesfully traded with the public for the last ten years.The edition of the liquor store to these premises now offers the opportunity for shoppers to buy a wide selection of drinks from beer to the more complicated wines as they normally do their weekly shopping.