Locally Owned. Locally Grown.
Built for This Community.
Locally Owned. Locally Grown. Built for This Community.
Bottles & Barrels wasn’t born from a business plan — it was born from a passion for people. Owner Jimmy Ellsworth grew up in Kansas City but found his home in Elkhorn in 2002, drawn here by love and kept here by community. His wife Becky is an Elkhorn native whose family has been woven into the town’s fabric for generations — dentists, coaches, teachers. When Jimmy and Becky decided to plant their roots and build something of their own, there was never any question about where it would be.
For 20 years, Jimmy built a career in the beer and spirits industry — from merchandising at Coors Distributing Co. to leading sales at Boulevard Brewing Co. and Molson Coors. He knew the industry inside and out. But somewhere along the way, the corporate path started to feel like it was missing something. At 46, he made the leap most people only dream about: walking away from a secure job to build something meaningful from scratch. “I wanted to take a chance at building something that was unique and engaging for our community,” Jimmy says. “A place that can bring everyone together.”
A Different Kind of Liquor Store
From the moment you walk in, you’ll notice that Bottles & Barrels isn’t like anywhere else you’ve shopped for wine, beer, or spirits. There are no fluorescent lights and no impersonal retail aisles. Instead, you’re greeted by warm lighting, a welcoming staff, and an invitation to slow down and explore.
The heart of the experience is a “try it, love it, buy it” model that puts the customer in control. Simply check in at the front counter to open a tab — just like you would at a bar — receive your tasting card, and help yourself. The store features two spirits tasting stations with 16 options on tap, including a rotating selection of eight bourbons, whiskeys, and scotches. Two wine stations offer 16 temperature-controlled whites and reds to sample. A tap wall pours 20 craft, specialty, and import beers. And the recently added Cocktail Corner serves up six pre-batched cocktails on tap.
No pressure. No commitment. Just the freedom to discover what you love before you take it home.
A Community Hub, Not Just a Shop
What sets Bottles & Barrels apart goes beyond the tasting model. Jimmy has always believed that the best businesses are the ones that make their neighbors feel at home — and he credits that outlook directly to his mother. “My mom treats everyone like family, and that’s made a lasting impact on me and how I run the store,” he says. Walk in once and you’re a customer. Walk in a few times and you’re part of the family.
That community spirit shows up in everything the store does. Each week brings Winesdays — with all wine pours 30% off every Wednesday — along with Acoustic Sundays featuring live music from 2 to 5 p.m., and Teacher Appreciation Friday Afternoon Club. Monthly themed events keep things fresh and give regulars something to look forward to, whether it’s a Paso Robles Wine Celebration, a bourbon tasting night, or a seasonal tasting event.
For those who want to go deeper, the Wine Society membership delivers hand-picked bottles monthly across four curated tiers, making it easy to keep your cellar stocked with wines chosen by people who genuinely love what they do. And the rewards program — earning five points per dollar spent — turns every visit into a reason to come back and bring a friend.
Proudly Local, and Looking Ahead
Bottles & Barrels is located where Omaha, Elkhorn, Gretna, and Millard all converge, and that crossroads feels fitting for a business that’s always been about bringing people together. The store proudly carries a robust selection of locally brewed and regionally crafted beers, and mix-and-match singles let beer lovers build their own perfect six-pack from the best the area has to offer.
Jimmy and Becky are parents to two daughters at Elkhorn South High School. They’re not outside investors or a corporate franchise — they’re your neighbors, and this is their life’s work. “Locally owned and locally grown” isn’t just a tagline here. It’s the whole point.
Looking ahead, Jimmy has plans to bring the Bottles & Barrels experience to a new location, or two, in the coming years. With potential expansion to Lincoln and beyond. But, no matter how the brand grows, the heart of it stays the same: a warm room, a friendly face, a great pour, and a community that feels like home.
Come See What Everyone's Talking About
Whether you’re a seasoned bourbon collector, a curious wine explorer, or someone who just wants a cold craft beer and good conversation, there’s a place for you at Bottles & Barrels. Come in, open a tab, and stay a while. We think you’ll feel right at home.
Meet The Bottles & Barrels Team
Jimmy Elsworth
Owner/Operator
Alayna
Marketing Manager
Damian
Operations Manager
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Staff Member