Lee’s Discount Liquor Under New Management

Lee’s Discount Liquor, a beloved Las Vegas Valley liquor store chain, was recently acquired by a Texas-based liquor company. Spec’s Family Corp., parent company of Spec’s Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods, acquired Lee’s Discount Liquor this summer, according to the Review Journal’s Vegas Business.

Former Lee’s CEO Nami Lee will remain on board for the next five years, but in an advisory role. The brand will keep its name and partnerships as well. Although this is Spec’s Family Corp.’s first entrance into the Nevada market, Lee’s Discount Liquor will continue to operate independently throughout the state.

What Now Las Vegas reached out to Lee’s Discount Liquor’s current Vice President/Chief Financial Officer, Stephanie Sivertson, to find out more about the deal and any upcoming changes. Unfortunately, we did not hear back by the time of this publication.

“At Lee’s Discount Liquor, we take pride in offering our communities an unparalleled selection of adult beverages at unbeatable prices,” the Lee’s Discount Liquor website reads.

“As Nevada’s favorite “One-Stop-Shop,” our family-owned-and-operated stores continue to embody Mr. Lee’s vision of excellence, value, and community. Visit us today and experience the Lee’s Difference!”

Lee’s Discount Liquor was founded in Las Vegas in 1981 by South Korean immigrant Hae Un Lee. The brand grew from a single modest storefront into Nevada’s largest independent liquor chain with 23 Lee’s Discount Liquor locations currently serving the Las Vegas Valley and surrounding communities. Unfortunately, Lee and his son, Kenny, passed away in a car crash in 2021. Kenny’s wife, Nami, took over as CEO following their deaths. The family behind the Spec’s Family Corp. has been close friends with Lees for decades and was already in soft talks with them about acquiring the brand before Lee and his son, Kenny, passed away.

Spec’s Family Corp is a large, family-owned Texas company that runs Spec’s Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods. Founded in 1962 in Houston, Texas, by Spec and Carolynn Jackson, the brand has grown into Texas’s biggest liquor store chain with more than 200 Spec’s Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods locations. The brand now operates as a four-generation family business offering wine, beer, spirits, and gourmet foods.

“For 60 years, Spec’s has been your Texas go-to for good times and gourmet foods in Texas. Now with over 180 locations and more on the way, we’re bringing savings and selection to every corner of the Lone Star State,” the Spec’s Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods website reads.

“For nine consecutive years, the Houston press gave Spec’s the “Best Liquor Store” award. And in 2005, Lindy and John Rydman win the coveted Earnst & Young’s “Entrepreneur of the Year” award.”

John Rydman, CEO of Spec’s Family Corp. and now Lee’s, is leading the charge in the ownership change. What Now also reached out to Spec’s Family Corp’s Chief Administrative and Retail Operations Officer, Steve Moore, to find out more about the brand deal and if there will be any changes. But we did not hear back by the time of this publication.