LeNell Smothers
LeNell Smothers opened LeNell’s Ltd, a Wine and Spirit Boutique in Red Hook in the fall of 2003. Her background includes work in many aspects of the beverage business such as bartending, restaurant management, retail liquor sales, and even wholesale wine sales. Taking pride in her Southern heritage, LeNell is even an Honorary Alabama Colonel. LeNell’s Ltd has been recognized by numerous publications including GQ magazine as one of the “Best 50 Stores in America”, by NEW YORK magazine as “Best Liquor Store” in NYC, by WHISKEY magazine as US Retailer of the Year,” and by NYC Department of Small Business Services as “Small Business of the Year.” She is an American whiskey ambassador, even owning her own brand called Red Hook Rye.