Frugal MacDoogal Nashville ... an Employee-Owned Company

From rare and everyday bourbons, wines from around the world and popular local brews, Frugal MacDogal, has delivered a huge variety of beverages at the best prices to our friends in Nashville and Music City visitors alike since opening our doors in 1983. As Nashville's favorite Liquor Wine and Beer Warehouse, we believe that a good time shouldn't have to break the bank. We have a great time sourcing the best liquor, wine and beer locally and from around the world and bring them to you at the best prices possible!

Our History

1977

Charles Sonnenberg immigrates to the United States from South Africa and, after being introduced to Jerry Greenbaum of Green’s Discount Beverage Stores, draws up the plan to open a massive store of his own in Nashville, Tennessee.

1983

Frugal MacDoogal opens its doors along Interstate 40 on 8th Avenue and Division Street, in an “out of town” industrial park that would decades later become the intersection of some of Nashville’s most popular neighborhoods, the Gulch and Wedgewood-Houston.

The view from the store was much different in 1983. Less than a handful of buildings touched the sky. You would’ve seen The Tennessee Tower (now the state building), The UBS building, The Sheraton Grand (UFO), James K. Polk State Office Building (home to the old state museum and TPAC), and The Life and Casualty Tower (L&C).

1990

Frugal MacDoogal opens its second location in Fort Mill, South Carolina.

The Grassmere Wildlife Park (what would become The Nashville Zoo) opens. Charles would later serve on the board. Frugal MacDoogal is, to this day, a close donating partner of the Nashville Zoo.

In 2022, Charles would receive Market Watch’s “Alumni Award for Community Service” for his contributions to the Nashville Zoo.

1996

The Sommet Center (now Bridgestone Arena) opens less than a mile from Frugal MacDoogal to house the coming NHL team, the Nashville Predators. It’s one of the many signs of the growth to come.

1998

The Tennessee Oilers play their first games at Vanderbilt Stadium and the Nashville Predators play their first games at Sommet Center. Growth continues, pushing high-end development toward Frugal’s neighborhood.

2004

Frugal opens its third location in Columbia, South Carolina.

2009

Charles Sonnenberg is named “Retailer of the Year” by Market Watch.

Other accolades include being named one of “America’s Top Wine Shops” by Food & Wine Magazine, “One of America’s 10 Best Retailers” by Wine & Spirits Magazine, and “Best Liquor Store,” “Best Wine Shop,” and “Best Beer Store” in Nashville by publications like The Nashville Scene and The Tennessean dozens of times.

2010

The Nashville Flood devastates residential spaces and businesses but inspires a community culture that would lay the groundwork for Nashville’s biggest boom yet.

2017

Charles entrusts the company to its employees through an ESOP, and Frugal MacDoogal becomes employee-owned.

2020

There isn’t a business or person not impacted by COVID-19. Frugal continues to serve Nashville with delivery and curbside pickup.

2023

Frugal celebrates 40 years in Nashville with the release of 40 hand-picked single barrels of whiskey titled “Frugal 40th” and refreshes the brand with new takes on the classic logo and mascot.

2025

Frugal MacDoogal’s current leadership team is taking Frugal Nashville to new heights and is here to help you with all of your beverage needs.

Meet Our Team

Jerry Bottom

General Manager

Everyone in town knows Jerry! This guy's a legend. A huge fan of the University of Louisville (his beloved alma mater), Jerry Bottom is a former U.S. Army officer and veteran of the Metro Nashville Police Department. Jerry has served our fine customers for nearly 22 years.

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Preston Hunt

Wine Manager

As a former middle school teacher, Preston (WSET III) knows how to break down wine for even the most inexperienced of us to understand. When he's not working the floor, Preston can be found tending to the vineyards at Dudley Farm in Wilson County. You can reach Preston and the wine department at: wine@frugalmacdoogal.com

Chase Hollander

Events Manager

Chase has been making making waves since moving here from California. A Bay Area native, Chase is an avid traveler and has sampled wines with her Frugal teammates in Austria, Spain and Willamette Valley, Oregon over the past 24 months. She's an expert at helping plan events, big and small, and one of the nicest people you'll ever meet!

events@frugalmacdoogal.com

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Jonathan Mowry

Liquor Manager

Jonathan Mowry is the hardest working, nicest "manager-o-liquor" you've ever met. He's a Nashville-native, and if you're looking for information on the best bourbon and tequila offers we have available, Jonathan's your man!
liquor@frugalmacdoogal.com

Erik Thomsen

Beer Manager

A SoCal kid raised on the beach (rough life we know), Erik cut his teeth bartending at a dive bar overlooking the ocean and has been slinging and learning as much as he can about it ever since. Learned about Nashville beers working at 3crow until, well, you know.