New high-end liquor store opens in SLO County — and a deli is on its way

A new liquor store has opened in Atascadero, selling local wines and high-end beer — and it even has a deli coming soon.

Morro Liquor at 8120 Morro Road had its soft opening Monday, with shelves half stocked with nearly every alcoholic beverage under the sun, including chilled wines; imported wines from France, Italy, Lebanon, Spain and Chile; and $1,000 bottles of whiskey.

As the golden sign outside the two-story building read on Monday, the boutique bottle shop has actually been in the making since 2021.

Owner George Ghazaly told The Tribune after the COVID-19 pandemic halted construction plans, it feels good to finally open up shop.

“You know when you are working hard, at the end somebody pats your back and says, ‘You did a great job,’” Ghazaly said. “That’s what locals come here and tell us. After five years of working hard on this place, people walk in and are impressed by what we do. This is like a thank you.”

While still setting up shop, the liquor store is taking customer requests, with spaces open for high-end beers, vodka, whiskey or spirits, Ghazaly said.

“We put our basics as an inventory, and the rest of it, 10% or 15% is customer requests,” he said. “People ask you, ‘Can you order this? Can you get this? Can you get that?’ We work with our customers on what they would like us to carry and have in here.”

The liquor store also has non-alcoholic offerings for customers.

Morro Liquor serves fresh coffee every day, with a corner set up for the A-Town Deli and Grill that will be ready to open in a month, Ghazaly said.

Originally envisioned for a Mexican-American restaurant with grab-and-go options, Ghazaly is asking around and seeing what people want to eat, whether it is classic deli sandwiches, burgers or even burritos, he said.

The food and drink options can be enjoyed on the patio of the new business, where outdoor seating will be built out in the next few weeks, according to Ghazaly.

Morro Liquor is set for its grand opening by the end of April or start of May, where the deli will also be revealed, Ghazaly said.

For the next week, the liquor store is open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. every day.

“I really am super excited,” Ghazaly said. “People are excited too.”