Mt. Diablo Wine Association (Now B&W Liquor)

The unassuming Black & White liquor store actually has some significant history and is likely the oldest building in the Park Avenue District outside of Emeryville’s Old Town Hall dating back to 1913.

Livermore native George Cockerton was the first to set up shop at the Warehouse selling coal, wood, hay and grain.

By 1917, Cockerton had forged a partnership with fellow businessman William Schlueter. In 1921 Schlueter became the sole proprietor of the business selling fuel and feed with a “100 ton capacity” weigh scale. They also provided hauling and warehouse services.

By the early 1930s, amid the Great Depression, Schlueter had gone out of business.

By 1935 following the end of Prohibition, The Mt. Diablo Wine Association occupied the warehouse. The new owners operated a liquor store in the front and used the back of the building for storing wine.

In 1938 the Black & White Liquor Store, Inc. purchased the front part of the warehouse. Louis Navone and C. Garibotti were partners in the ownership of Black & White Liquors, and they owned a chain of Black & White Liquor stores. Mt. Diablo Wine Association continued to occupy the rear of the building.

By the 1950s the rear of the building had been removed, while Black & White Liquors continued to operate in the front of the building.

Black & White Liquor store remains in business to this day, one of the oldest businesses on San Pablo Avenue.