Big Bear Liquors: My Latest Business Acquisition on the $100M Mission

February 24, 2025 by Mark Ferguson

I’m excited to share the details of my latest business acquisition – a liquor store near the University of Northern Colorado (UNC) in Greeley. This purchase is an important step in my recently announced $100M Mission – my goal to build $100 million in real estate and business value by 2030.

Big Bear Liquor Branding

I think I’ll be able to have some fun with this store as I reposition it for college students. What are your branding ideas?

Let me know in the comments below.

The Deal Structure

Let me break down the numbers and strategy behind this acquisition:

• Building purchase price: $910,000 (originally listed at $999,000)
• Business assets & inventory: $100,000
• Total investment: $1,010,000

The real estate portion came in right at market value, supported by a $900,000 appraisal. The building itself is in excellent condition with solid infrastructure:

• Metal roof
• Updated HVAC
• Good plumbing and electrical
• Well-maintained coolers
• Prime location just 2-3 blocks from UNC campus

Why I Bought With Limited Information

Some might think I’m crazy for buying a business with no sales data or financial information from the previous owner. However, those who follow my real estate investing strategy know I only move forward on deals when I can secure significant equity or value-add potential.

In this case, I saw multiple opportunities to add value:

1. College Market Potential: The store is perfectly positioned near UNC but currently makes no effort to attract college students. There’s huge potential to tap into this market.
2. Modernization Opportunities: The store needs updates in several areas:
   • Layout optimization
   • Brand refresh
   • Product mix expansion
   • POS system upgrade
   • Marketing improvements
3. Operational Efficiencies: Having experience running another liquor store gives us advantages in:
   • Vendor relationships
   • Inventory management
   • Staff training
   • Marketing strategies

Next Steps

We’re moving forward with several initiatives:

1. Rebranding: We’re launching as “Big Bear Liquors” – playing off UNC’s Bears mascot. This gives us great marketing potential with the college crowd.
2. Store Updates:
   • Reorganizing the layout
   • Adding more counterspace
   • Potentially creating a walk-in beer cave
   • Refreshing window displays
   • Adding college-themed décor
3. Administrative Tasks:
   • Working through liquor license transfer
   • Setting up new vendor accounts
   • Implementing na ew POS system
   • Building the team

Join Me on the $100M Mission

This acquisition adds over $1 million in asset value to my portfolio, bringing me one step closer to my $100M goal. But more importantly, it represents the kind of value-add opportunities I’m constantly seeking – where smart improvements and operational expertise can significantly increase an asset’s value.

I invite you to follow along on my “$100M Mission” as I document my journey building wealth through real estate and business acquisitions. Whether your personal goal is $1 million or $100 million, the principles remain the same – find undervalued assets, improve operations, and build value over time.

Want to learn more about commercial real estate investing? Check out these related articles:

• Commercial vs Residential Real Estate Investing
• How to Calculate Cap Rates
• Commercial Real Estate Investing Guide

What do you think about the Big Bear Liquors concept? Let me know in the comments below, and don’t forget to subscribe for updates on my $100M Mission!