Lee’s Discount Liquor, a longtime Las Vegas Valley chain, has been acquired by Texas-based Spec’s Family Corp. The brand will keep its name and operate independently, marking Spec’s first move into the Nevada market.
Lee’s Discount Liquor, a fixture in the Las Vegas Valley since 1981, has been acquired by Spec’s Family Corp, the Texas-based parent company of Spec’s Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods. The deal, completed this summer, brings Nevada’s largest independent liquor retailer under new ownership while keeping the Lee’s Discount Liquor name and its existing partnerships intact.
Spec’s Family Corp, which operates more than 200 locations across Texas, is making its first entry into the Nevada market with this acquisition. According to the company, Lee’s Discount Liquor will continue to operate independently throughout the state, maintaining its familiar brand and approach for local customers.
Leadership Transition and Brand Continuity
As part of the transition, Nami Lee, who became CEO after the passing of her husband Kenny Lee and father-in-law Hae Un Lee in 2021, will remain with the company in an advisory role for the next five years. The Lee family and Spec’s Family Corp have had a longstanding relationship, with discussions about a potential acquisition reportedly beginning before the deaths of Hae Un Lee and Kenny Lee.
Lee’s Discount Liquor currently operates 23 locations in the Las Vegas Valley and surrounding communities. The company was founded by South Korean immigrant Hae Un Lee, who grew the business from a single storefront into a major regional retailer. The brand has become known for its wide selection and competitive pricing, serving both residents and visitors across Southern Nevada.
Spec’s Family Corp Expands Beyond Texas
Spec’s Family Corp, founded in Houston in 1962 by Spec and Carolynn Jackson, has grown into Texas’s largest liquor store chain. The company is now led by CEO John Rydman, who will also oversee Lee’s Discount Liquor following the acquisition. Spec’s is a four-generation family business offering wine, beer, spirits, and gourmet foods, and has received multiple industry awards, including “Best Liquor Store” from the Houston press for nine consecutive years.
With this acquisition, Spec’s Family Corp is expanding its footprint beyond Texas for the first time. The company has indicated that Lee’s Discount Liquor will retain its operational independence and local identity, with no immediate changes planned for customers or staff.
What’s Next for Lee’s Discount Liquor
While the acquisition marks a significant change in ownership, Lee’s Discount Liquor’s leadership has emphasized continuity for both employees and customers. The company’s website continues to highlight its commitment to selection, value, and community, reflecting the vision established by founder Hae Un Lee.
As of publication, Lee’s Discount Liquor’s Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Stephanie Sivertson, and Spec’s Family Corp’s Chief Administrative and Retail Operations Officer, Steve Moore, had not provided additional details about the transition or any upcoming changes. The acquisition signals continued investment in the Las Vegas retail landscape and underscores the region’s importance as a hospitality and business market.
This is a developing story. Vegas Report will provide updates as more information becomes available regarding the integration and future plans for Lee’s Discount Liquor under Spec’s Family Corp ownership.
