Mike Morowit is a rubber-meets-the-road economist.

When things are going well, craft beer sales are strong.

If things are starting to tighten up, domestic brews such as Budweiser, Coors, and Olympia grow in favor.

And as 2019 draws to a close Morowit can report with confidence that 2019 was a very good year.

“Craft beer sales were definitely strong this year,” Morowit said.

Morowit is in his 25th year of being a purveyor of spirits as the owner of Miner Mart Liquors in Lincoln Center anchored by Hafer’s Furniture on West Yosemite Avenue.

Customers haven’t hesitated this past year to fork out $17 to $19 for a four-pack of craft beer. Morowit expects craft beer sales as well as champagne to be strong as Mantecans prepare to usher in a new decade. At the same time he is also seeing demand for high end whiskeys, vodkas, and tequilas — another indicator of a strong economy.

The most expensive spirits he expects to move that will be the centerpiece of New Year’s Eve celebrations are a $150 bottle of Don Julio 1942 Tequila, a $200 bottle of Hennessy XO Cognac, and a $300 bottle of Macallan 18 Year Old Scotch.

Spirits weren’t always the hot item for New Year’s Eve when it came to sales from Miner Mart. When Morowit bought the store from Bob Miner, champagne was the undisputed king for specialty New Year’s Eve and Christmas celebrations in Manteca. If somebody was splurging they’d spend $100 or more for higher end champagne.

Morowit and other liquor stores in Manteca have survived and thrived despite competition from large retailers such as Costco, Target, chain grocery stores and dozens of convenience stores. They have done so by getting to know what their regular customers want and securing hard-to-find craft beers and spirits. They also offer a much wider selection plus try to be as convenient as possible.

One way Morowit has done that is to join Drizly — an app designed as a Door Dash for liquor stores that offers 1-hour delivery in select areas.

Buyers seeking delivery of beer, wine, and/or liquor after they create an account that requires you to enter your driver’s license use an app to shop and select items. The order is then placed with the nearest participating retailer unless you have a preferred option. The delivery driver scans the buyer’s driver’s license to verify age and other particulars before the alcohol is turned over.

So far several customers have used Drizly to have beer, wine, and alcohol delivered.

Morowit noted it helps reduce the possibility that someone may be having a party and deciding they want additional alcohol and sending someone to buy it that is partially impaired.

And how does Morowit plan to toast the New Year when the clock strikes midnight to end 2019 next Tuesday? He’ll do it the traditional way by sharing a champagne toast with his wife Georgette.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com