A local Pioneer businessman who says he is looking to support Amador County commerce has run into some intense opposition.  Danny McCauley, owner of Sierra Homes & Properties in Buckhorn, and property manager of Buckhorn Plaza, has plans in the works to open an upscale liquor and wine store featuring Amador county wines, cheeses, breads, olive oils, and related items. McCauley has been in contact with numerous local vintners who want the store to be a distributor for their fine wines. McCauley lives and works in Buckhorn, and “wants to make it a destination spot,” and says “my sole intention is to promote the Buckhorn area for the Buckhorn people.” The proposed store site, located in the Buckhorn Plaza, was left empty when Buckhorn Liquors moved to the Buckhorn Village a few hundred yards away.

McCauley decided to lease the space for his new store, and started renovating the interior, which is now nearly complete. After McCauley filed with the California Department of Alcohol and Beverage Control, or ABC, he received copies of numerous complaint letters sent to the state from local residents. Last week, McCauley contacted one of those residents, Richard Vinson, to discuss his concerns with the store.  According to McCauley, he has heard the same comment from all those opposed to the store – that Buckhorn doesn’t need liquor store.  In response to that, McCauley says the majority of his products will be Amador County-produced wines and goods, as well as liquor and cigarettes, and adds that he wants to provide a larger supply of quality products so that locals don’t have to drive all the way to Jackson or Folsom for liquor and wine. The matter is scheduled to go before the Board of Supervisors at tomorrow’s meeting; however, McCauley is looking to postpone this until he has a chance to meet with the board, noting that he just received notice of the agenda item last Tuesday the 15th.