Moreno's Liquors
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Rose Moreno
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Retail (alcoholic beverages) |
| Founded | May 21, 1977 |
| Founders | Michael Moreno Sr. Rose Moreno |
| Headquarters | Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
Key people | Michael Moreno Sr. Mike Moreno Jr. |
| Products | Tequila, mezcal, craft beer |
| Subsidiaries | Osito's Tap |
| Website | morenosliquors |
Moreno's Liquors is a family-owned liquor store located in the Little Village neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois. The business was founded in 1977 by Michael Moreno Sr. and Rose Moreno. The store is known for carrying a large selection of agave-based spirits, including tequila and mezcal.[1]
Osito's Tap
Moreno's Liquors was founded on May 21, 1977, by Michael Moreno Sr. and Rose Moreno in Little Village. The original store was located at the corner of 26th Street and Harding. In its early years, the business primarily sold beer and spirits imported for Mexican and Latin American markets.[2][3][4]
In 1987, the store relocated to a larger 14,000-square-foot location at 3724 West 26th Street. Around this time, Moreno Sr. advocated for the introduction of several premium Mexican tequila brands to the United States market. Industry publications have described this period as part of a broader shift toward higher-end agave spirits in the U.S.[5][6]
During the early 2010s, the business adjusted its focus in response to competition from large retail chains, placing greater emphasis on specialty and small-batch spirits. By 2013, the store had expanded its selection of niche and imported products.[7][8]
Mike Moreno Jr. joined the company as vice president in 2014. Under his tenure, the store expanded its craft beer offerings and increased the number of agave-based spirits in its inventory.[9]
In 2019, the Moreno family opened Osito's Tap, a bar connected to the retail store. The bar occupies a nearby historic greystone building that previously operated as a Bohemian tavern. The project received partial funding from the Chicago Neighborhood Opportunity Fund and followed the removal of a local liquor license moratorium in Little Village.[10][11][12][13]
While the store historically served customers primarily from Little Village and nearby neighborhoods such as Pilsen, its customer base has expanded to include visitors from other parts of the Chicago metropolitan area.[14]