Specs Liquor

Store Combines Custom Layout and High-End Features to Meet Holiday Deadline

Waco, TX

In 2023, Spec’s Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods expanded its Texas footprint with a new 18,000 SF location in Waco. This $4.2 million ground-up build includes 11,900 SF of open retail floor and 6,900 SF of dedicated warehouse space, designed to support both walk-in customers and wholesale operations. Due to the unique lot shape and functional needs, the layout deviated from a typical Spec’s store, requiring creative design solutions to optimize space.

The building’s exterior showcases a blend of stone veneer, decorative EIFS, and a textured acrylic coating applied over tilt-wall panels. Eight aluminum canopies add depth and visual interest to the storefront and window lines. Inside, the retail space features polished black-stained concrete flooring, painted gypsum board walls with bold red accents, and an exposed ceiling painted white to highlight the joists, deck, and visible mechanicals.

A key standout is the walk-in humidor, fully wrapped in aromatic cedar siding – offering not just a premium aesthetic but also enhancing the cigar storage experience. The store also features a large, walk-in cooler.

The project wasn’t without its hurdles. The team managed multiple owner-provided elements including refrigeration, shelving, and warehouse racking. A significant four-week weather delay early on, compounded by issues with improper pad compaction by a subcontractor, forced the rework of the entire building pad. A late-breaking change to Waco’s building code also required the fire lane to be installed prior to vertical construction, pushing back foundation work and reshuffling the project schedule.

Despite these challenges, the team pushed aggressively after the building was dried in. With strong client collaboration and a sharp focus on schedule recovery, the project team secured a certificate of occupancy with a week to spare, allowing Spec’s to open just in time for Labor Day weekend – a peak retail period.

The successful delivery of this store, one of nearly a dozen completed for the retailer, underscores the importance of early coordination with local officials, adaptability in the field, and a strong client relationship. When the store opened its doors, a line of eager customers awaited, marking a satisfying end to a complex and rewarding build.

Project Facts

Industry Sector: Commercial- Retail
Cost: $4,204,558
Size: 19,011 SF
Delivery Method: Negotiated
Self-Perform: Site Utilities, Earthwork, Steel Erection, Concrete
Owner: McClure Partners