As a lifetime resident of Plymouth and owner of Pioppi’s Package Store, people often ask Peter Balboni, why the name? Peter’s grandfather, Tony Pioppi, started the business 91 years ago. Tony received the first liquor license in Plymouth after prohibition and was very active in the beverage industry, both locally and nationwide.Pioppi’s is the essence of a family business. Tony and Muffy started downtown in a small shop with a telephone number of 28! They handed it down to Peter’s parents, Dennis and Brenda, who moved the store to Benny’s Plaza in 1972. It is now run by Peter and his wife and showcases a huge selection of fine wine, bourbon, spirits, brew, and much more.
Tell us a little about yourself:
I grew up on Sandwich Road in Chiltonville, back in the day when you could ride your bicycle down the middle of the road and not see another car for a mile. We love the neighborhood and still live on the family property.I enjoy beekeeping, boating, fishing gardening and spending time with my wife, Kim, our two children Max and Isabella, and our golden lab, Hunter. While we love all the local restaurants, we also love staying home, cooking and entertaining. We also enjoy spending time at Browns Bank (that’s the large sand bar just off Long Beach, locals know as a little slice of heaven which is only accessible at low tide: According to brownsbankplymouth.com, “it’s a magical island that’s there and then it’s not, every 12 hours”).
What inspired you to join the family business?
I went to school for business, but did not intend to work at the package store. After several years of working in an unrelated industry, I was asked to fill in for a sick employee, which soon turned into a part-time job. I worked for many years learning the business—and the industry. I soon realized that the new industry, all the new products, and dealing with the salespeople and customers was fun. It wasn’t long before I started working full time. In 2008, I decided I could help grow the business by adding on to the existing store. This remodel brought Pioppi’s into a new era and has provided for my family as it did for my parents and grandparents.
What’s the secret to the 91 years of success?
Over the years, Pioppi’s has grown and expanded its size and selection and keeps on thecutting edge of the liquor industry’s ever-changing trends. We accomplish this with friendly, educated staff who are always willing to help, a selection that surpasses all others with rare and hard-to-find liquors, including a phenomenal whiskey and Bourbon selection, and a massive wine selection which includes a fine wine corner comprising all the top producers. Our beer and RTD (ready to drink) selection of 21 cold doors combined with a warm selection of microbrews will fill any hophead’s glass. These standards as well as competitive pricing makes Pioppi’s the success it is, earning us Retailer of The Year!
‘Given your expertise in the industry, how can residents of Pinehills benefit from shopping at Pioppi’s? The liquor industry has its own challenges, like every business: increased supplier costs, over-regulation, and cost of utility expenses and inflation, to mention a few. However one benefit we have over most is we own our own building and this allows us to absorb some of those increases and stay very competitive with the big box stores.Reach out to us if you’re hosting a small gathering or a large party. We can handle it all—whether it’s special order, a hard-to-find item or something bigger. We gladly adviseon quantities needed for every event, from a small get-together or a wedding for 500! We have the knowledge and experience to make events memorable, and bring them to he next level. Pioppi’s raises the bar, literally.
After all this time, what are you most grateful for?
I am most grateful to my grandparents for having the foresight to purchase the first liquor license in Plymouth, my parents for teaching me a hard work ethic, and my family for always being there to help when needed—they understand the demands of our family business. Most importantly, I am thankful to be able to enjoy the benefits of hard work with my friends, family and the community.
How is Pioppi’s involved with the community?
Like my grandparents and parents before me, we are very involved locally. I am a member of the Pilgrim Society and the Chamber of Commerce and was very active on committees with the Plymouth 400. We support many organizations in the community, most significantly for causes concerning veterans. We also put on an annual car show, “The Packie Run,” for local post-1822, and have helped raise 35k over the past four years! We have sponsored the Plymouth Public Library’s largest annual fundraiser, Taste of the Town, now in its 19th year and are hosting the next one coming up on November 6th. We also support BID-Plymouth (known to locals as Jordan), which we are so fortunate to have in our community.
For bragging purposes, what do you love about being part of Stroll Pinehills?I love receiving Stroll magazine because of its informative articles, glossy pictures, and hometown feel, which brings people together. We agree!
Finally, what do you find most fulfilling about your work—sounds like a good amount of fun gets mixed into it at the end of the day…
When customers and friends come back and say that they received the best service or loved the product we recommended, that is most satisfying.
*****SIDEBAR*****
What set’s Pioppi’s Apart?
In short, recognition and awards, lots of them! Pioppi’s is used to being at the top in the liquor retail industry. In just this year alone….The Massachusetts Package Stores Association Board of Directors recognized Peter and Pioppi’s with the Massachusetts Retailer of the Year award at a special ceremony on April 25th 2024 Pioppi’s and Balboni’s name will be added to the MASSPACK Frank Anzalotti Trophy, considered the highest honor in the retail liquor industry. Only one store in Massachusetts receives this honor each year. This trophy is awarded to a person and store that excels in advocacy, commitment to responsible sales and service practices, community engagement, and customer service.Balboni also received a salutation from the Massachusetts House of Representatives, presented by Rep. Mathew Muratore, recognizing Balboni and Pioppi’s for being named Business of the Year 2024. Pioppi’s accolades include Massachusetts Beverage Journal Retailer of the Year 2009, Beverage Dynamics Top 100 Nationwide Liquor Retailers 2023 and 2024, not to mention countless “best of” recognitions. As Business of the Year, Balboni’s went to the American Beverage Licensees convention this past summer in San Antonio, Texas and Pioppi’s represented Massachusetts for the grand honor of the National ABL Retailer of the Year 2024 award.TESTIMONIAL:“Outstanding customer service!! On two separate occasions, dealing with two different employees, I was treated to excellent customer service. [They] didn’t just point me in the direction of what I was looking for, but came out from behind the counter, walked meover…and explained the different varieties which they carried. Their willingness to help caught me somewhat off guard and is the main reason that I will return to this store and recommend it to others. Thank you for your help!”– Drew Miller, now a regular!
A one of a kind expression of Maker’s Mark created by a specific combination of different oak staves. When added to the barrel of Maker’s Mark 46, a unique flavor profile is created, different from any other recipe created to date.
An alcohol free brew with the taste of Budweiser. Only 50 calories & zero grams of sugar, for those who are looking for less alcohol.
Guinness Zero
The Guinness with everything except the alcohol. Guinness 0.0 boasts the same beautifully smooth taste, perfectly balanced flavor, and unique dark color of Guinness, just without the alcohol.
To create Guinness 0.0 the St James’s Gate brewers, start by brewing Guinness exactly as they always have, using the same natural ingredients; water, barley, hops, and yeast; before gently removing the alcohol through a cold filtration method. The cold filtration process allows the alcohol to be filtered out without presenting thermal stress to the beer, protecting the integrity of its taste and character. The brewers then carefully blend and balance the flavors to ensure the distinctive flavor profile and taste characteristics of Guinness.
The resulting product is a stout that is unmistakably Guinness, just without the alcohol, featuring the same dark, ruby red liquid and creamy head, hints of chocolate and coffee, smoothly balanced with bitter, sweet and roasted notes.
Corona Non Alcoholic
The taste of the original in a non-alcoholic brew. Meet Corona Non-alcoholic. It has the same crisp and balanced taste of your favorite Mexican Lager. Add a lime wedge and enjoy anytime.
Heineken Zero
Brewing a great tasting 0.0% alcohol-free beverage. Is it even possible? Yes. Our master brewers started from zero and spent years exploring, brewing, and tasting before they finally created a recipe defined by its refreshing fruity notes and soft malty body. Heineken 0.0 is not only delicious, but it’s fully deserving of the Heineken mark.
Blue Moon® Non-Alcoholic
Belgian-Style Wheat Brew
A balanced and refreshing non-alcoholic Belgian-style wheat brew, crafted with Valencia orange peel and coriander.
Stella Artois Liberte Non- Alcoholic
Raise a glass with Stella Artois 0.0 alcohol free brew, the perfect choice for those who want to enjoy the rich taste of beer without the buzz. At 0.0% ABV, you can savor every sip without worry. This alcohol-free beverage is crafted with the same attention to detail and quality as the iconic Stella Artois premium Belgian style lager. Stella Artois’ alcohol free brew has a mild and clean flavor, a slightly sweet aroma of malted barley and hops, and a refreshing and crisp finish. Whether you’re abstaining from alcohol or simply looking for a lighter option, Stella Artois 0.0 alcohol free brew delivers an elevated taste experience. Stella Artois 0.0 is an ideal choice for social gatherings or winding down after a long day. Whether you’re seeking an alcohol-free option or simply want to try something new, Stella Artois 0.0 delivers quality and flavor in every bottle.
For this first-of-its-kind collaboration from Buffalo Trace Distillery, Traveller brings together the collective artistry of 10X Grammy Award-Winning Artist Chris Stapleton and Buffalo Trace Distillery Master Distiller, Harlen Wheatley.
In pursuit of the finest possible whiskey, over 50 blends were sampled before making Blend No. 40 the chosen combination. Blend No. 40 is the carefully curated result of countless hours of testing & tasting and is exactly what you’d expect – a premium whiskey that speaks for itself.
Authentically crafted to be there whenever you find yourself in good company, Traveller Whiskey is Easy to Drink, Hard Not to Love.
TASTING NOTES
Complex aromas of vanilla, aged fruit and buttery shortbread rounded off by caramel and a touch of oak. The palate has just a touch of sweetness, followed by spice, toasted nut and oak flavors, with a robust finish.
This Rose of Pinot Noir is elegant and distinct, with bright notes and an uplifting acidity reminiscent of our signature, coastal expressiveness.
Elegant and distinct, with aromas of peach, strawberry and subtle hints of rose petal. Bursts of fresh citrus colorfully drive the palate and are balanced with flavors of nectarine and stone fruit. A silky entrance coupled with fresh and uplifting acidity leaves you with our signature coastal expressiveness.
Flowers Winery
From the initial plantings more than 30 years ago, Flowers Vineyards & Winery has been inspired and defined by the Sonoma Coast.
Among the first to see the potential for growing world-class Pinot Noir and Chardonnay along the fog-shrouded Pacific Ocean, we have refined our understanding of our estate properties with each passing vintage. Sometimes referred to as the “far” Sonoma Coast, our rugged, windswept vineyards represent extreme viticulture in the pursuit of crafting wines representative of time and place.
Working in agricultural isolation on the edge of the coast, just north of the town of Jenner, is done with a very specific goal in mind…to present a pure expression of one of the world’s truly exceptional places to make wine. Our organic practices emphasize our approach as stewards of the land, resulting in healthier vines and higher quality soils. Our commitment to stewardship along with our organic and biodynamic farming practices have been unwavering constants of our winemaking philosophy since our inception.
From a blend of beautiful sites across the valley, including Arcadia Vineyard in Coombsville and Rancho Chimiles in Wooden Valley, as well as small amounts of grapes from S.L.V. and Fay, this wine is inviting in dense aromas of red fruit, caramel and brioche. With dashes of Petit Verdot and Malbec, it finishes on accents of tobacco and cedar.
Nothing matters more to Austin Hope than family and winemaking. And for Austin, nothing embodies those quite like Paso Robles.
Growing up amongst the grapevines of his family’s vineyards, Austin spent his formative years studying the science and craft of both, in California and in the Rhone region of France. It wasn’t until 2017, after years of exploration and fine tuning his craft, that Austin felt he could create something that encapsulated the essential elements of Paso Robles. Austin realized this vision when he released a Cabernet Sauvignon under his Austin Hope label. The sources of the wine are far-reaching within the appellation – a most discerning group of vineyards located on gently sloping hillsides and hidden pockets across the domain, providing unique dimensions to the Cabernet varietal. Each dimension tells a distinctive part of the story of our unique and wondrous region.
Today, Austin’s obsession has evolved to showcase an even greater sweep of Paso Robles, expressing a life dedicated to growing grapes and making Paso wines. Nothing makes Austin more proud than crafting a wine that captures the inspiring essence of Paso Robles.
Previous Vintage received 95 point from Wine enthusiast and was #7 on the top 100 for 2020.
