59 JUNE 27- JULY 3, 2024 NEW TIMES B E S T O F M I A M I ® 2 0 2 4 miaminewtimes.com | browardpalmbeach.com hat does a dinner with friends, a date night, a celebration, and an evening curled on the sofa have in common? They all usually start with a trip to your local liquor store. A good liquor store is more than a place to pick up a bottle of red for pasta night or tequila for Taco Tuesday. It’s a source of knowl- edge where someone can help you decipher the difference between reposado and añejo, discov- er the pleasures of a chill Gewürztraminer, or even learn a new cocktail recipe. For decades, two iconic liquor shops have been serving the Miami community: Sun- set Corners, a landmark establishment that’s been open for seven decades, and Jensen’s Liquors, a local small chain that was established in 1978. Now, these two names have merged, with the owners of Jensen’s, Eduardo “Eddie” and Nidia Cruz, purchasing Sunset Corners from the family that has kept it going since it opened in December 1954 on the corner of Sunset Drive and Galloway Road in Miami’s Kendall neighborhood. As befits a marriage, Sunset will take on Jensen’s name, calling itself Jensen’s Sunset Corners. Although the name will change, the beloved shop is in good hands. When Sunset Corners’ former owners, Michael Bittel and Larry Solomon, were fielding offers, they were reluctant to sell to investors who might only see value in the land. Instead, they opted to sell to the Cruz family, who were fellow longtime pro- prietors and spirits aficianados. Cruz has grown up in the retail liquor business, taking over Jensen’s from his father, Eduardo Cruz Sr. Now Cruz Jr. holds the torch, operating six Jensen’s locations throughout Miami, with Jensen’s Sunset Corners mak- ing it seven shops. Jensen’s is more than a name. The shop is well-loved by both locals wanting to purchase a simple bottle of bour- bon and craft spirits aficionados who can find rare liquids like a bottle of Macallan New York Limited Edition Single Malt Scotch Whisky that sells for just short of $30,000. For that reason, Jensen’s was named Miami New Times’ “Best Liquor Store” in 2019 and 2023 (Sunset Corners was named “Best Liquor Store” in 2013 and “Best Wine Shop” in 2010”). Although Jensen’s Sunset Corners will get a refresh with new windows, a new coat of paint, and a raised roof, the heart and soul of the store will not change. And some familiar faces will stay on to greet regulars. John McGriff, who started working at Sunset Corners in 1975, will continue on as manager and spirits expert. John’s brother, David, will also remain at the store. Former co-owner Michael Bittel will continue to lead the weekly Saturday wine tast- ings, and his former partner Larry Solomon will also remain a pres- ence at the shop. This turns what could have been a simple business transaction into a true merging of two families, united by a common bond of serving their com- munity. It could be said that this melded family is very much like the spirits they sell — the fin- est bottles are sometimes made of two different spirits blended together. The next time you find yourself in need of a housewarming gift, a bottle of birthday bubbly, or even a brandy to take away the chill on a rare winter’s eve, come down to Jensen’s Sunset Corner and say hello to the people who have helped Miamians raise a glass for decades. 8701 Sunset Dr., Miami | 305-271-8492 For a list of all of our locations, visit www.jensensliquors.com A Tale of Two Liquor Shops Jensen’s has purchased Sunset Corners in a merger worth toasting. advertorial W THIS TURNS WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN A SIMPLE BUSINESS TRANSACTION INTO A TRUE MERGING OF TWO FAMILIES, UNITED BY A COMMON BOND OF SERVING THEIR COMMUNITY.
