After less than eight months, the owner of Beverage Castle is selling the Plant City-based business.
Owner Scott Wright said his $60,000 price tag for the building, 8 N. Lake Blvd., and inventory, is a bargain. The inventory alone is worth about $75,000, he said.
Following his father’s death, Wright purchased the business in February and moved from Orlando to operate it. Prior to that, he managed four separate Hertz car rental locations for almost five years.
“I always wanted to run my own business and not to work for somebody else,” Wright said.
The business has been a Plant City staple for more than three decades. However, Wright said it’s simply too demanding for one person. After purchasing the business, Wright opted to run it completely by himself rather than hire employees. Currently, he works 12-hour shifts six days per week. On Sundays, he often arrives before opening at 3 p.m. to clean and maintain the lawn. He also orders and picks up inventory, cleans, manages the books and tends to customers.
“It would be great for a two-person team,” he said.
Originally, Wright had hoped to purchase a convenience store in Lakeland. When that didn’t happen, he used inheritance money from his father’s death to purchase Beverage Castle. Since taking the business, he has worked to re-brand Beverage Castle.
“It’s a drive-thru convenience store,” Wright said. “I have milk, eggs, chips, candy bars.”
Wright said the business has attracted many regular customers, many elderly or disabled.
“It’s good for parents with kids, because they don’t have to get the kids out of the car, go inside and then have to buckle them up again,” Wright said. “It’s also nice for those who are disabled.”
So far, Wright has declined two offers for the business. Once Beverage Castle sells, Wright plans to buy a gas station or a small restaurant in the Orlando area.
Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver.com.
Interested in buying the Beverage Castle?
PHONE: Scott Wright, (213) 283-5229
ADDRESS: 8 N. Lake Blvd., Plant City
ASKING PRICE: $60,000 for the business. Rent is $2,500.