Court Street liquors has reopened this week after being closed for several months.

When Art Simons and his business partner, Antoine Lee, took over the historical liquor store at 29 Court Street, it was not just about reviving a business.

For Mr Simons, it was about changing the story. “I'm trying to bring the community back,” he said. “I want to take the stigma out of Court Street and bring something back that people can be proud of.”

The shop has long been associated with its bestselling Elephant beer. Under the ownership of Mr Simons’s uncle, Roderick Nesbitt, the store once made headlines for selling an estimated 12,000 bottles of Elephant each month, earning it the distinction of being the top-selling Carlsberg outlet in the world.

The certificate is still displayed proudly on the wall of the store.

Although Mr Simons admits he would be thrilled to win that distinction again, he is reopening the store with a broader vision.

He plans to keep Elephant on the shelf — “number one” as he puts it — but is focused on rebranding Court Street Liquors into something more inclusive. “Let’s bring it back,” he said. “Let’s take it all today and everybody come back home and enjoy Court Street again.”

That means changing the typical image of a corner liquor store. He hopes the store can serve as a neighbourhood anchor, not just a beverage stop.

Aside from Elephant, his focus will be on promoting and selling Bermudian-made beverages and snacks. His shelves are already stocked with bottles of a local rum punch, Bae Juice, and bags of GlamPop popcorn.

Mr Simons is starting small but has long-term plans to import directly and expand his offerings. He admits he is concerned about tariffs and other import issues but remains undeterred.

With a general manager in place and plans to hire three part-time staff, Messrs Simons and Lee are building more than a business – they are trying to build community.