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PEEKSKILL -- Panio Wines and Liquors celebrates its 40th anniversary this summer as the city's neighborhood liquor store. But will the store be forced to relocate after all these years?
David Pacchiana took over the store a year ago from Rocco and Rosemary Panio, who had run the store since the summer of 1971. He said the store continues to get steady business from loyal customers, many of whom live within walking distance of his Crossroads Plaza location.
Since taking over the store he has tried to make the store more customer friendly, he said.
"We've opened it up and stood all the bottles up to create a warmer feel when you walk in," Pacchiana said.
While the stores carries all types of liquors, it has always been best known for its wines.
"Rocco was from Italy so they specialized in Italian wines." Pacchiana said. "We're trying to continue that tradition and we're learning about Italian wines but we run the gamut from California to South America."
The store also does brisk business with its New York State lottery games, and the store has two large game dispensing machines.
According to Pacchiana, he is one of several business owners that may be forced to move if the city's plans for a new central firehouse is approved. The eastern half of the plaza, where the store is located, is the planned location for the proposed new firehouse and stores in the location now will eventually have to be relocated, possibly to the other side of the plaza.
Pacchiana said he wanted the city to give him a better idea of when that might happen so he could better prepare.
"I haven't gotten a lot of answers from the city as to what their timing is," Pacchiana said. "It's very difficult to run your business when you're not sure if your [store] lifespan is two months, six months or six years."
Panio Wines and Liquors is located at 1101 Main Street in the Crossroads Plaza shopping center. Call (914) 737-3454 for more information.
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