HEADS. NO, TAILS!
The Buster's company which began over 50 years ago was actually established over a coin toss.

Romulus Morgan Hammond Jr, better known as Buster, partly owned and operated a chain of three retail grocery stores in the city. Named after Buster Hammond and Tom Kirk, the Hamkirk grocery stores were quite successful. So popular in fact, that Buster and Tom are attributed to being the first grocery to open on Sundays in Memphis; making Piggy Wiggly even take notice.

Despite it's success, Buster and Tom differed on how to run things and eventually dissolved the partnership. Finding some common ground, the two agreed on a price and flipped a coin for the business. Buster loss the toss.

Fresh out of the grocery business and itching for something to do, Buster was approached by two businessmen about opening a liquor store. The idea sounded good and with just $12,000 start up capital among the three entreprenuers, the company was founded when Buster's Liquors opened on Bellevue in South Memphis during the Spring of 1954.

Sales that first year are estimated below $50,000.

SWEET CRY OF SUCCESS!
Less than two years in, Buster realized the business was not big enough for the three. And once more, the partnership was dissolved. This time, Buster retained sole ownership.

For years, Buster found success with the local south Memphis market attracting customers from all over the city and parts of north Mississippi. Buster's character and gift of gab has much to do with the store's success. Buster is full of sayings, adlibs, rhymes, and other things. Upon the first register sale of each day, Buster in classic form would step outside and ring a brass bell by his front door all the while hollering the sweet cry of success - "First sale of the day!" The neighbors did not appreciate it, but that is the vocal Busters we all know.

MOVE EAST YOUNG MAN!
Recognizing his father's success, Buster's son Romulus Morgan Hammond III realized that the liquor business could offer him opportunity to provide for his own family. And in 1966, Romulus Morgan Hammond III opened his own store located at the bottom of the old Sterick Building in downtown Memphis. It was appropriately named Sterick Liquors.

However, it was shortlived. In 1968, Martin Luther King was assassinated and downtown Memphis began to suffer with decline. Like many others, Rommy and Buster made the crucial decision to close both of their respective shops and move out east to take advantage of the growing population in the suburbs past the East Parkway.

I'LL TAKE IT!
That was in 1968 when another businessman approached Buster about occupying a tiny retail space in a little ole building at the corner of Poplar and Highland. Buster wasted no time yelling, "I'll take it!"

At that time, the store faced Poplar Avenue and customers had to actually back straight out onto a 4-lane Poplar to exit the store parking lot.

The ink on the lease had not even dried before giant Exxon came "a knocking" to purchase that immediate corner.

The landlord made the sale; but not before he promised Buster a new home. The revenue generated from the sale was used to develop a new retail center behind the future Exxon in which Buster's would move to.

Near completion in 1970, Buster's was prepared to move into the newly developed center. Originally, Busters was to occupy the space adjacent to the Malco Theater on the backside of the building. But just days before opening, the ice cream shop on the adjacent corner nearest Highland bailed out. And once more, Buster was approached about filling the vacancy. If you listen quietly, you can still hear Buster screaming, Ill take it!

And so, by 1970 Buster's had finally arrived at its present day location at the northeast corner of what was developed as the Dillard Square Building.

That year, Buster's occupied less than 800 square feet and annual sales peaked at $310,000.

FAMILY TRADITION!
Rommy realized early on that he could never work for anybody else but himself. And after overseeing two location moves and all the daily operations, Rommy was ready to manage the family business. It was then in 1970 that Rommy Hammond III assumed leadership of the company and from that point forward and primarily under Rommy's leadership, Buster's has thrived setting the standard for the retail wine business in Memphis and in the state of Tennessee. Leaving a legacy for his children, which are all now highly involved in the business.

LOCATION! LOCATION! LOCATION!
Buster's is located in the heart of the city near University of Memphis, positioned directly in the center of the I-240 loop that surrounds Memphis.

Since that move over thirty years ago, the Poplar & Highland intersection has remained one of the busiest intersections in the entire city. Considered East Memphis at the time, the Poplar-Highland intersection today is also considered the crossover point between East Memphis and Midtown.

Three major arteries connecting downtown with East Memphis converge nearby. Those three arteries are Poplar Avenue, Walnut Grove, and Central Avenue.

The Dillard Square Building has since been renamed The University Center.

"IF WE DON'T HAVE IT, YOU DON'T NEED IT" "
Buster's has the largest selection of wine and spirits in Tennessee, including all the eight states surrounding it. We have a $1,000,000 inventory, which is one of the largest wine and spirits selections in the entire country. Busters specializes in stocking difficult to find specialty wines from around the world and much of our selection is attributed to a "yes attitude" toward new products.

Because of Tennessee regulations, the types of products a liquor store can carry are extremely limited. And so when the wine industry began booming in the early 1970's, Rommy welcomed and embraced it. He understood that there was only one way to expand his business and that was to carry all new products that came his way. Always having a "yes attitude" has helped our selection grow to over 7000 items and we continue the practice to this day.

Hence our traditional and trademark slogan, "If we dont have it, then you dont need it!" "

We also have a more courteous trademark slogan, "The Supermarket of Fine Spirits" "

We now use the trademark slogon, "We Have Your Spirit!"

EVERYBODY DESERVES RESPECT
When a store carries as many items as Buster's, your customer base represents a broad range of people. But since the beginning, it has always been Buster's customer approach to treat each customer with the utmost respect no matter what the purchase, situation, or event calls for.

Unheard of at the time because it was taboo for women to set foot in a liquor store, Busters advertised "Ladies are cordially welcomed." The old ads from the 1970's depict snapshots of Rommy and Buster smiling while stating "we will even open the door for you" which is something Buster's continues to this day with an automatic front door that was installed in the late 1970's.

HAVE THE BEST PRICES IN TOWN!
Being the leader also means having the best prices. Buster's doesn't claim to have the best price on every product it carries, but it definitely has the best overall prices in town. That is why Buster's customers do not shop for just one bottle. Many of our customers use shopping carts to purchase cases and save with case discounts.

Buster's offers case discounts on all non-sale products, and all of our 1.75 Liter or (half gallons) of whiskey are at sale prices year round. As Busters says, "Get a hunch, and get a bunch!"

GREAT EMPLOYEES!
It takes good employees to offer quality customer service and Buster's has been extremely fortunate to have intelligent, trustworthy, honest, and hardworking employees. Buster's has grown from a two-man "mom and pop" operation to a nationally respected wine shop. Our great employees epitomize respect and courtesy, and they deserve credit for much of our success.

Buster's has the most knowledgeable wine staff in the region with over 150 years of combined wine retail experience among our management staff. Besides conducting the daily operations, the Buster's wine staff also conducts wine tastings, wine dinners, research, consultation, party planning, and helps manage Busters $1,000,000 inventory. Don't hesitate to call on any of us.

EXPAND? WHY NOT!
Buster's has been extremely fortunate to expand and acquire adjacent square footage at our present location. However, it has usually meant that we must take advantage of the opportunity when it arises and acquire new space before we were ready. Because it may not be there when you need it. The effort and risk has definitely paid off.

Over the last 50 years, Buster's has moved twice and expanded 7 times. Each time Buster's acquired new space, the store never closed for a single minute. The adjacent addition was constructed and appropriately stocked. Then, the wall between came down. It has been quite humorous over the years to notice customers who failed to pick this up while shopping in the new part of the store. The patchwork of floor tiles best tell the story.

COME SEE US TODAY!
Today, Buster's is the largest volume dealer of wine and spirits in Tennessee operating out of 10,000 square feet. We have the most knowledgeable staff in the region with over 150 years of combined wine retail experience, and we boast having the largest selection of wine and spirits in Tennessee with over 8000 items in stock.

We appreciate your business and look forward to your next visit.

Sincerely,
The Hammond Family

MILESTONES & ACCOMPLISHMENTS

1954    Busters is founded on Bellevue in South Memphis by R.M. "Buster" Hammond, Jr.

1966    Buster's son, Romulus Morgan Hammond III, opens Sterick Liquors downtown in the old Sterick Building.

1968    Martin Luther King is assassinated in downtown Memphis. Downtown begins to suffer as many residents flee to the suburbs. Buster & Rommy close their shops and move out east. Busters opens on the corner of Poplar & Highland.

1970    Buster's finally opens at their present day location in the new Dillard Square Building built upon the revenue generated from the sale of the Poplar & Highland Corner to Exxon.

1978    Buster's partners in sponsoring the "Commemoration of The Feast of Saint Jude". High point of the dinner was the tasting of a 6 Liter Jeroboam of 1864 Lafite. This was the only known bottle of this famous and magnificent giant. It was purchased at Heublein's Rare Wine Auction of 1978 for $18,000 which is a world record price for a single bottle of wine. The late "Big" John P. Grisanti chaired the event and gave conception to the idea of a dinner for the benefit of Saint Jude's Children's Research Hospital.

1978    Buster's tops the $1,000,000 mark in annual sales for the first time.

1979    Buster's is recognized as "The Top Wine Store" in Memphis by Memphis Magazine and the article states "Buster's has the most to choose from and the most informed staff."

1984    Buster's tops the $5,000,000 mark in annual sales for the first time.

1989    Rommy Hammond is recognized by '89 Market Watch, a leading industry publication, as one of the "Top 10 Retailers" in the country.

1994    Buster's is recognized as "The Best Wine Shop in Memphis" by the inaugural Memphis Flyer Readers' Poll.

1997    Rommy and his two sons, Morgan & Josh, are all featured on the cover of '97 Beverage Retailer, a national industry publication.

1999    Buster's tops $10,000,000 in annual sales for the first time.

2000    Morgan and Josh Hammond are recognized by '00 Market Watch Magazine as "Top 10 Retailers" in the country because of Buster's continued and dominating success on the local market. Josh Hammond is the youngest person to ever receive the award.

2004    Buster's Liquors celebrates its 50th Anniversay~!

2007    Buster's is recognized for the 13th straight year as "The Best Wine Shop in Memphis" by The Memphis Flyer    Readers' Poll and continues to be the only store to ever win the award since its inception in 1994.  Buster's is also voteed "#1 Most Loaded Wine/Liquor Store" by the Commercial Appeal.

2007    R. M. "Buster" Hammond Jr. 97, passes.  April 26, 1910 - September 9, 2007.