Henry Sawaged has been telling skeptics — especially his brother — that he is running a cathedral of booze, a wine and spirit colossus unmatched anywhere.

Finally, last month, he got framed proof. It is a certificate from Guinness World Records declaring Daveco Liquors in Thornton the largest liquor store in the world.

Guinness’s pronouncement spurred an impromptu celebration at Daveco — which Sawaged opened in November 2006. It was also a vindication of sorts for Sawaged, who always dreamed of being the biggest liquor vendor on the planet.

“I kept saying this is the world’s largest liquor store, and people kept saying ‘You can never prove that,’ ” said Sawaged. “But now people know I am a man of my word.”

The 102,000-square-foot Daveco is the size of most supermarkets in the metro area. It includes a customer-service area, 66 beer cooler doors, a walk-in beer cooler, a humidity-and-temperature-controlled 7,500-bottle wine cellar, a wine testing room and a cigar humidor.

There is also a sprawling kitchen and a 5,000-square-foot basement. In all, Daveco features $3 million in inventory including 9,000 types of wine, 2,400 brands of liquor and 800 different beers at the store, located at 16434 Washington St., east of Interstate 25, north of E-470.

Thirty employees help customers who have come from Wyoming, Nebraska, Montana and Utah — all attracted by Daveco’s legendary status, now confirmed.

“A lot of people just want to be in the world’s biggest liquor store,” said store manager Ted Sutton.

The verification process demanded by Guinness was not easy, however. Daveco officials had to gather statements from architects, surveyors, producers of media commercials and have them signed, sealed and notarized.

Sawaged’s staffers then had to measure the store and follow precise, specific guidelines and be accurate to a “.1th of a foot,” according to Guinness. Only retail space could be measured and included in the final packet of evidence sent to Guinness.

“It was a lot like a lawyer’s exhibit for court,” said Rosalind Frascona, Daveco executive administrator.

Sawaged — whose parents, four brothers and three sisters emigrated from Jordan in 1979 — said he started Daveco to honor his father, David, who for years ran a 900-square-foot liquor store in Thornton.

A friendly competition with his brother Issam also led to Daveco. Issam runs the 50,000-square-foot Davidson Liquors in Highlands Ranch and challenged his brother, Henry, to top him.

While Sawaged says smaller, nearby liquor stores are doing fine under Daveco’s shadow, not everyone agrees.

Won Kil said Daveco has taken a chunk out of his business. “It has hurt us a little bit,” said Kil, who with his wife runs a liquor store not far from Daveco.

But the local economy also hasn’t helped. “We get a lot of construction workers, and when houses aren’t being built, we don’t see them,” Kil said.

Still, Daveco is just the tonic for a party, said Brighton’s Sharon Farner. She and friend Beth Semp pushed a grocery cart full of beer and wine after a visit to Daveco recently. “It’s cheaper here, and they always have a good selection,” Farner said. “I always find what I want.”

Monte Whaley: 720-929-0907 or mwhaley@denverpost.com



Everywhere you look, a bottle of good cheer

At 102,000 square feet, Daveco is about the size of most area supermarkets.

7,500 Number of bottles in the wine cellar

9,000 Types of wine

2,400 Brands of liquor

800 Different beers