The state’s newest and largest liquor store opened at the Hooksett rest area on the northbound side of Interstate 93 on Thursday.
It’s part of a complete overhaul of the rest areas on each side of the highway.
The 20,000-square-foot liquor store was bustling on its first day of business.
Liquor commission marketing director Richard Gerrish says customer convenience was at the heart of the new design.
He says that includes everything from wider aisles to a wider selection of spirits.
There’s also a kiosk where customers can use iPads to look up wine and food pairings or search for a specific product.
“So I can go in here and search by brand name and it will send up the information of if the product is in this store, or where it is located in any of our 77 stores.”
Once the southbound store opens next month, the state expects its two flagship liquor stores to generate another $6 million annually.
They will anchor the newly-designed rest areas, a $36 million privately-financed project slated for completion sometime early next year.
Both of the old liquor stores built in 1979 will be torn down.