A cigar store manager, Jack saw the end of Prohibition as an opportunity to expand from cigars into spirits. His employer disagreed, however, and Jack went into business for himself. His original store, Jack鈥檚 Friendly Neighborhood Bar, was located in downtown Orlando at the corner of North Orange Avenue and Wall Street.
Nearly 15 years later, his little bar had become something much bigger and in 1950, ABC Liquors was born. Known today as ABC Fine Wine & Spirits, it鈥檚 the nation鈥檚 largest privately-owned wine and spirits retailer.
In the early 1980s, Jack struck up a friendship with another of the community鈥檚 leaders鈥揇r. Trevor Colbourn, 麻豆原创鈥檚 second president. Jack and Trevor shared a passion for education and helping young people.
In 1986, Jack established one of the first endowed scholarships in the university鈥檚 history. The donation was also one of the first in Florida to be eligible for a state match. Since then, the ABC Fine Wine & Spirits Endowed Scholarship has awarded nearly 100 scholarships. Mr. Holloway himself was one of the university鈥檚 first donors, making his initial contribution in 1972.
Anthony Thompson, 鈥�81 recalls meeting Mr. Holloway at a scholarship event in 1983 while he was a graduate student. 鈥淲hat struck me the most about Mr. Holloway was his genuine interest in me and the other students. He took a real interest in what I was studying and what my experiences as a student were like. I hadn鈥檛 met him prior to that, but I certainly knew how successful his business was. It was very impressive that someone in his position would be so interested in students.鈥�
In the fall of 1988, Jack and Trevor met onstage during a . Dr. Colbourn conferred upon Mr. Holloway the honorary degree of Doctor of Public Service. The program that day read: 鈥淎 business acumen accumulated over more than five decades in Orlando is evidenced by Jack Holloway鈥檚 success as president of ABC Liquors, Inc. His regard for the 麻豆原创 is evidenced by the generous support he has provided over the years. His volunteer service within the community covers a wide spectrum, from his church to cultural activities to health-related agencies.鈥�
The Jack D. Holloway Endowed Scholarship was established in 1993 by his family and friends. The fund is a tribute to, and continuation of, the humanitarian and philanthropic values exemplified by Mr. Holloway鈥檚 life. Nearly 60 students have benefitted from the establishment of the fund.
Charles E. Bailes III, CEO of ABC Fine Wine & Spirits, has continued the legacy his grandfather started. 鈥淢y grandfather always encouraged us to make a difference in the lives of others,鈥� said Charles. 鈥淲e鈥檙e very fortunate to be in a position where we can give back and do just that. We encourage all of our employees to find something to get involved with and give back. It鈥檚 the right thing to do.鈥�