On December 5, 1933, the 21st Amendment was ratified, putting an end to the era of Prohibition in the United States. Businesses were once again free to legally produce and sell alcoholic beverages across the nation.
1933 is also the year of Houston’s company origins.
Houston’s storefront in 1945 (Portland, OR)
When the 18th Amendment was enacted in 1920 prohibiting production and distribution of alcohol, hundreds of stores, breweries, distilleries, and bars had to shut down. It has been estimated that the restrictions of Prohibition resulted in around $220 million in lost tax revenues per year on liquor sales alone. Over the course of the nearly 15-year period of Prohibition, that’s over $3 billion in estimated losses.
It’s important to note that Prohibition was not a complete and total ban on alcohol nationwide. Exceptions were made for sacramental wine for religious purposes, as well as doctor-prescribed alcohol for medical use.
There is speculation that Charles R. Walgreen (of Walgreens Pharmacy note) expanded from 20 stores to 525 stores throughout the 1920s thanks to being able to fill “medicinal” alcohol prescriptions.
In 1933, once Prohibition was overturned, Esther and Jack Houston saw the opportunity in the market and went into business. They established the House of Vintages wine and spirits store in downtown Portland, OR.
Esther Houston and John Houston
After serving in the United States Air Force, Esther and Jack’s son, John, joined the business. A three-person operation soon evolved into a company with a 64,000 sq. ft. warehouse and over 35 trucks and drivers distributing to the Western United States.
Through the ensuing years, Houston’s transitioned to incorporate a broad range of restaurant and café supplies, and John’s leadership was instrumental to the company’s growth and success. Houston’s now supports the foodservice industry nationwide, with two distribution centers totaling more than 240,000 sq. ft.
2021 Houston’s Bar Supplies catalog
To this day, as we approach 90 years in business, Houston’s remains a partner to the bar industry, holding steady our connection to our roots in post-Prohibition America.
Throughout the warehouse aisles, catalog pages, and website product listings, a proliferation of cocktail ingredients, garnishes, glassware, and mixing tools can be found. When it comes to bar supplies, since 1933, Houston’s has it.
Curious about the history of the cocktail? Read more on the Houston’s Blog.
