CallataGuidesBusiness phone system for beer, wine and liquor stores in College Station, TX
Beer, wine and liquor stores in the College Station-Bryan, TX metro area: 21 establishments in 2023, the local area codes, and what phone service costs an 8-person team.
- Establishments
- 21CBP 2023
- Employees
- 160mid-March 2023
- Per 100k residents
- 7.3U.S. 10.7
- Rank
- 223rd of 780areas by count
Beer, wine and liquor stores in College Station, TX by the numbers
The Census Bureau's 2023 County Business Patterns lists 21 establishments classified as Beer, Wine, and Liquor Stores (NAICS 445310) in the College Station-Bryan, TX metro area. They employed 160 people in mid-March and paid $4,467,000 in annual payroll. By establishment count the area is 223rd out of 780 areas with published figures for beer, wine and liquor stores.
Measured against its 287,000 residents (2024 estimate), the area has 7.3 beer, wine and liquor stores per 100,000 people; the U.S. rate is 10.7, so College Station, TX is 31.8% below the national figure. The average establishment here has 7.6 employees, compared with 5.3 nationally. Payroll per employee comes to $27,919, in line with the national $28,143.
| Measure | College Station, TX | Texas | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Establishments | 21 | 2,389 | 36,433 |
| Mid-March employees | 160 | 12,243 | 193,533 |
| Annual payroll | $4,467,000 | $361,791,000 | $5,446,519,000 |
| Employees per establishment | 7.6 | 5.1 | 5.3 |
| Payroll per employee | $27,919 | $29,551 | $28,143 |
| Establishments per 100,000 residents | 7.3 | 7.6 | 10.7 |
Census County Business Patterns 2023 (mid-March employment; annual payroll). Employees and payroll flagged high-noise are shown but not used in the text. Residents: Census Vintage 2024 estimates.
Establishment size: beer, wine and liquor stores in College Station, TX
Of the beer, wine and liquor stores in College Station, TX that had employees in March 2023, 45.0% had fewer than five (the U.S. share is 61.7%). 85.0% had fewer than ten. For a business of a few people, phone coverage is a staffing question as much as a technology one: someone has to be free to pick up, or the call needs somewhere sensible to go.
| Employment size | Establishments | Share | U.S. share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–4 employees | 9 | 45.0% | 61.7% |
| 5–9 employees | 8 | 40.0% | 24.8% |
| 10–19 employees | not published | — | 10.2% |
| 20–49 employees | 3 | 15.0% | 2.9% |
| 50 or more employees | 0 | 0.0% | 0.3% |
Employment-size classes count establishments by mid-March 2023 employment. Establishments with no March employees are excluded from the size classes, so shares are of establishments with employees. Source: Census County Business Patterns 2023.
Why the phone matters for beer, wine and liquor stores in College Station, TX
Liquor stores field calls about stock, special orders and event quantities. Calls from event planners and restaurants are often time-sensitive.
Typical inbound and outbound calls for beer, wine and liquor stores in College Station, TX:
- The store calls a customer when an order arrives.
- A customer calls to check whether a wine is in stock.
- A customer calls about a special order.
What beer, wine and liquor stores text about
Stores text special-order notices.
Because carriers require registration for business texting from local numbers, Callata files a 10DLC registration for a one-time $49; after approval, anyone on the team can reply from the business number.
Phone system pricing for an 8-person liquor store
The average liquor store in College Station, TX has 7.6 employees, so an 8-person team is a reasonable benchmark. Per-seat business phone plans bill every one of those people. At month-to-month list prices checked September 28, 2026, 8 users on RingCentral RingEX Core cost $240.00 a month and 8 on Ooma Office Pro cost $199.60. Callata comes to $159.00 a month for 8 users ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user), below both.
Over a year, that is $972 less than RingCentral for a liquor store in College Station, TX of that size. Annual contracts lower some competitors' prices, so compare the plan you would actually sign.
| Provider (plan) | Pricing basis | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Callata (Callata Office) | $99 incl. 5 users, $20 per extra user | $159.00 | $1,908.00 |
| Quo (Starter) | $19.00 per user | $152.00 | $1,824.00 |
| Nextiva (Core) | $23.00 per user | $184.00 | $2,208.00 |
| Ooma (Office Pro) | $24.95 per user | $199.60 | $2,395.20 |
| Dialpad (Standard) | $27.00 per user | $216.00 | $2,592.00 |
| RingCentral (RingEX Core) | $30.00 per user | $240.00 | $2,880.00 |
Competitor prices are each vendor's published month-to-month list price per user for its lowest plan that includes business calling and texting, checked September 28, 2026: Quo Starter $19, Nextiva Core $23, Ooma Office Pro $24.95 (Essentials excludes texting; one-time $29.95 activation not included), Dialpad Standard $27, RingCentral RingEX Core $30 ($20 billed annually). Prices exclude taxes and fees and may change; annual contracts lower some competitors' prices.
Which area code to use in College Station, TX
NANPA records place the exchanges of the area's named cities and towns in 2 area codes. 979 has the most, with 117 of 121 exchanges (97%). A local number lets customers in College Station, TX call without dialing out of area. Callata includes up to 3 local numbers, and which numbers are open in an area code depends on carrier inventory when you choose.
| Area code | Exchanges | Time zone | In service since | Overlay with |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 979 | 117 | Central | 2000 | none |
| 254 | 4 | Central | 1997 | none |
Exchanges are NANPA-assigned central office codes (NPA-NXX) in the rate centers matched to the area's named places. Source: NANPA utilized code and NPA reports.
Setting up Callata for a liquor store in College Station, TX
Callata Office costs $99 per month for up to 5 people, and each additional user is $20 a month. That covers up to 3 local numbers, calling from a browser or your cell, transcribed voicemail, recorded calls with AI summaries, after-hours routing and E911 on each number.
Porting a number you already use in College Station, TX is free, and business texting is available once the carrier registration (10DLC) is approved; the registration carries a one-time $49 fee. Which specific numbers are open in a given area code depends on carrier inventory at the time you sign up.
AI agents are optional: an AI receptionist or scheduler can pick up when the team is busy or closed, take a message, send a text or email, or transfer the call. They draw on prepaid AI minutes ($0.25/minute), disclose that they are AI, and outbound AI calls require prior consent and are limited to 8am–9pm.
Frequently asked questions
How many beer, wine and liquor stores are there in College Station, TX?
Census County Business Patterns counted 21 beer, wine and liquor stores in the College Station-Bryan, TX metro area in 2023. They employed 160 people in mid-March.
What does a business phone system cost for an 8-person liquor store?
At month-to-month list prices checked September 28, 2026, 8 users cost $240.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core and $199.60 on Ooma Office Pro. On Callata, $99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user, the same team pays $159.00.
What area code should a liquor store in College Station, TX use?
Area code 979 has the most assigned exchanges among the area's named places, followed by 254. If you already have a local number, you can port it to Callata for free.
Can an AI receptionist answer calls for a liquor store?
Yes. Callata's optional AI agents can answer when the team is busy or closed, take a message, text, email or transfer the call. They disclose that they are AI and are billed from prepaid AI minutes at $0.25 per minute.