Wilton residents can finally buy alcohol in their town, and for many, it's a good feeling.
"They're relieved we're finally here and they can spend their money in their hometown." said Jon DiIorio, manager of Wilton Wine Shoppe on Danbury Road.
But now that the novelty is finally wearing off, it's a great feeling for the man whose liquor store was the first to open in town.
"My kids recognize me again," Ancona said.
That's because Ancona is spending more time at home these days. As he was setting up his store and getting the business off the ground, Ancona wasn't home for dinner much. Now, with things established, he has more family time.
Ancona made the first legal sale of a bottle of alcohol in town history on March 31, then opened his business fully the next day. Other stores quickly followed.
The sale of alcohol in restaurants was approved in 1992, but there still was no place to buy a bottle of beer, wine or alcohol in town. Last November in a 2,363-1,801 vote residents approved a measure allowing package stores in town.
DiIorio said after six weeks, business is "getting better all the time," and people are glad for the convenience.
Ancona literally felt the gratitude when his store opened.
"I think I probably got my fair share of hugs from women who were happy they didn't have to get in their car and drive 15-20 minutes away to buy wine," he said.
"I think the novelty has worn off," Ancona said, "but I don't think I've had a day go by that I have had somebody come in and say, 'I can't believe you're open. I can finally buy alcohol in Wilton.'"
The stores are doing their part to make sure people know they're around.
Wilton Wine Shoppe recently joined with the nearby Wilton Historical Society for a wine-tasting that raised money for the society.
"It was great fun," DiIorio said. "There were about 50 people there. We're trying to get involved where we can in the community."
Ancona's holds wine tastings every Saturday from 3-6 p.m., and recently donated proceeds from the sales of the four wines at a tasting to Relay For Life. That raised $1,000 for the event, which raises money to fight cancer.
Ancona said he does smilier events at his store in Ridgefield, but "There was going to be a segment of the Wilton public that didn't know what we were about, so I wanted to get out there and let people know we are active in the community."
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