Italian food, cream puffs and tequila, oh my

The Clear Lakes center on 21st Street just west of 21st and Amidon is getting tastier all the time.

RC 21st Liquor is a liquor store that recently opened next to the new Puffette, a bakery specializing in cream puffs.

That’s also where the Amore Italian Restaurant is.

Roberto Alvarado and his wife, Carolina, opened the store there in part because of the center’s location near the 21st and Amidon intersection. He said he likes that it’s still a bit away from it, too.

“It’s easy access in and out,” Alvarado said. “Everybody’s on the go, and everybody wants to get in and out of a store as quick as possible.”

Also, he said, there aren’t a lot of liquor store options in the area.

His store will specialize in a couple of things, including what Alvarado called “very cold beer.”

“People have complained that beer isn’t as cold as” it used to be, he said.

RC 21st will keep its beer between 30 and 35 degrees.

It also will have a range of tequila options, including more as the store gets fully stocked.

Wine offerings will grow over time as well, he said.

“In the future, we will carry more expensive bottles as people request (them).”

RC stands for the first initials of Alvarado and his wife’s names.

Michael Moeder of Moeder & Associates handled the deal for the center, which his parents, Susan and Leon Moeder, own.

This story was originally published June 20, 2024 at 11:09 AM.