An original feature by: Makayla Richardson
Nestled quietly off NW 16th Blvd lies a place where Gainesville’s love for good wine, fine cheese, and genuine connection has thrived for over four decades.
Dorns Liquors & Wine Warehouse isn’t just another wine shop — it’s a living family legacy, a neighborhood institution, and an enduring testament to what happens when passion and perseverance pour into every bottle on the shelf.
A Humble Sip and an Empire’s Rise
For Tom Dorn Jr., today’s steward of the store, the story started with a sip he wishes he could forget: a warm, stale swig of Corona at the tender age of 12, secretly fished out of his mother’s recycling bin. “I remember thinking, ‘Why would anyone drink this stuff?’” he laughs.
A few years later, at a family dinner, he tasted wine properly for the first time. He can’t recall the label, but he vividly remembers the transformation it brought to an ordinary meal. “There was something about the richness of that wine that brought something great out of the food,” Tom Jr. recalls. That single moment sparked a curiosity that would eventually lead him through California’s wineries alongside his father — blending vacation with business and learning the trade sip by sip.
From Stock Boy to Wine Pioneer
The Dorn family’s roots in Gainesville retail stretch back to the early 1980s. Tom Dorn Sr., who once stocked grocery shelves at Albertsons, turned a fascination with fine wines into a mission: to bring the best of Europe and California to local tables at a time when even simple imported cheeses were rare finds in Florida.
In 1982, he opened Dorns Liquors & Wine Warehouse — an ambitious name for what began as a humble local shop. But thanks to Tom Sr.’s relentless curiosity and knack for relationships with winemakers, Dorns quickly became a trailblazer.
He was among the first in Florida to carry labels like M. Chapoutier of France and California’s cult classic Bonny Doon Vineyard, championing Rhône varietals long before “organic” and “biodynamic” became industry buzzwords. Alongside carefully sourced French Roquefort and Camembert, Dorns offered Gainesville a taste of the world before chains like Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s ever arrived.
“Back then, there were only two places in Gainesville where you could find imported charcuterie and cheeses: the Wine & Cheese Gallery and us,” one longtime team member remembers. “Now you can get brie at Publix, but in the 80s? We did it.”
Boom, Bust, and a New Generation’s Gamble
Fueled by its loyal following, the Dorns brand grew to an impressive 19 stores across Florida, with massive St. Augustine warehouses stocked floor to ceiling. But when the 2008 recession battered commercial tenants and dried up consumer spending, the family’s extensive property holdings became an albatross.
Stores shuttered — three or four a year — as unpaid rents stacked up and mortgage bills kept coming due. By 2013, the once-vibrant Gainesville flagship had been reduced to bare shelves and red ink.
That’s when Tom Dorn Jr., just 28 years old, was asked to step in and rescue what his father had built.
“I didn’t have a grand plan. I just knew we needed bottles back on the shelves and customers back through the door,” he says. So he started small: restocking wine rack by wine rack, rebuilding relationships with distributors, and reintroducing Dorns’ once-iconic tastings and personal service.
Within two months, the store turned its first profit in over a year — a testament not just to Tom Jr.’s grit, but to a loyal customer base that missed having a neighborhood wine haven they could trust.
Where Everybody Knows Your Name — and Your Favorite Pinot
Walk into Dorns today and the difference from a big-box chain is clear the moment you pass through its doors.
Regulars don’t just come for a bottle; they come for advice from staff who’ve been there for years, know their palate, and remember exactly which merlot paired best with last Thanksgiving’s dinner.
It’s not uncommon for customers to linger at the tasting counter, swapping stories or sampling a new cheese before deciding on a bottle. Seasonal pairings of chocolates, charcuterie, and even custom holiday gift baskets keep the local vibe alive.
“Some customers have been with us for forty years,” says Tom Jr. “I know their kids now — and their grandkids. That’s the magic. You can’t recreate that with an app or an algorithm.”
The Secret Sauce: A Culture of Learning
Part of what makes Dorns unique is its culture of wine education — not just for customers, but for its own team.
Many staff pursue sommelier certification, advancing from Level 1 basics to Level 2 and even Level 3 tasting mastery. Past employees have gone on to become winemakers in Napa Valley or sommeliers at Michelin-starred restaurants. Tom and his co-manager Randy are both Level 2 certified themselves — proof that at Dorns, wine isn’t just a product; it’s a craft. Ken, who manages operations out west, is also a certified Level 2.
And unlike chain stores where a wine aisle can feel intimidating, here, customers often treat staff like personal guides, asking for pairings or tips for an upcoming dinner party. “We love when people say, ‘Teach me something new,’” Tom says. “That’s the fun part.”
What’s Next for Gainesville’s Best-Kept Secret
While the dream of restoring a statewide Dorn’s empire is gone — and maybe rightfully so in today’s retail climate — Tom Jr. has no plans to slow down. Instead, he’s focused on making the Gainesville flagship and Jonesville location local gems that stay true to the family’s roots: great wine, genuine service, and a community that feels like family.
“We’re not trying to be Total Wine or ABC,” he says. “We’re trying to be Dorns. That’s enough.”
Raise a Glass — And Rediscover a Local Treasure
Tom Jr. still calls Gainesville home, where he lives with his teenage daughter Audrey, son Thomas Dorn III — or “Tripp” — and another little one on the way. Tom Jr.s home is also shared with his spirited pit bull, Rex Grossman Jr. When he’s not recommending a crisp Sauvignon Blanc or telling stories of his father’s early wine adventures, you’ll find him at home: “just playing with my kids — that’s my favorite thing to do.”
If you haven’t yet wandered the aisles at Dorns Liquors & Wine Warehouse, consider this your invitation. Whether you’re a seasoned oenophile or just curious about what pairs well with Manchego, you’ll find a friendly face ready to pour, pair, and point you in the right direction.
Because in Gainesville, some secrets are too good to keep — and Dorns is one worth sharing, one bottle at a time.
📍 Visit: Dorns Liquors & Wine Warehouse
4140 NW 16th Blvd, Gainesville, FL
(And their sister location in Jonesville)