The History of Spec’s Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods
Spec’s, the iconic Texas retail chain, began in 1962 when Carroll B. “Spec” Jackson and his wife Carolynn opened their first store in Houston. The name of the store originated from “Spec” Jackson’s nickname, which referred to his spectacles. The couple’s goal was simply to make enough to support their family while being of service to their community. Turns out Texas had bigger plans in store for these two entrepreneurs!
Spec’s celebrated its first year of business in 1963 and continued to grow in popularity, attracting customers with its excellent service and competitive pricing. In 1971, Lindy Jackson and her husband John Rydman joined the business after graduating from college, learning the ins and outs of the industry from the ground up. John Rydman’s introduction of wines in 1974 created a buzz about Spec’s, with customers excited about the extensive selection and pricing offered.
In 1988, Spec’s expanded its business by introducing po’ boy sandwiches, crackers, and cheese to satisfy customer requests, becoming the beginning of a huge selection of gourmet items from all over the world. Spec’s customers kept asking for more and that’s what they got. They asked for cheese so they could entertain better, and Spec’s added a cheese section. What goes with cheese? Crackers. So, Spec’s got in the cracker business. As it goes, one thing led to another and 35 years later, Spec’s is a bona fide gastrological boutique!
In 1995, third-generation family member Lisa Rydman joined the Spec’s team, bringing a fresh perspective to the business and eventually becoming the face of Spec’s television commercials.
By 2002, Spec’s had grown phenomenally, with 24 stores and 475 employees across the Greater Houston area. The company continued to expand and in 2007, opened three stores in the Austin area, followed by more locations in San Antonio, Killeen, El Paso, Dallas, Fort Worth, Lubbock, and all across Texas.
In 2016, Spec’s Charitable Foundation hosted its 20th Annual Vintage Virtuoso event, which raised more than $3.5 million dollars to support the Houston Symphony’s education and community programs. But Spec’s charity work doesn’t stop there! As a tribute to their founders, Spec’s created the Spec’s Charitable Foundation, specifically for education purposes. Spec’s is a founding sponsor of the University of Houston Hilton School of Hotel and Restaurant Management. Once a year, a huge golf tournament is held, with the Hilton School Wine and Spirits Institute as the beneficiary. Spec’s has been instrumental in many scholarships and even an endowed professorship in the Beverage Management program.
In a continued effort to support their employees and their families, Spec’s has partnered with the Catholic Diocese of Galveston and Houston to provide for the education of Spec’s employees’ children. Spec’s is also proud to have a full scholarship to the University of North Texas and, as a tribute to the second-generation owners and their love of music, Spec’s is also a lifetime underwriter of the famous One O’Clock Lab Band at UNT.
Spec’s celebrated its 55th anniversary in 2017 with over 100 stores across Texas and more to come. Now, with over 180 locations in more than 35 cities boasting tens of thousands of products including Texas’ largest selection of lower priced wines and spirits, hundreds of beers, premium cigars, fresh gourmet foods, accessories, and so much more, Spec’s Wines, Spirits, and Finer Foods has truly become a destination shopping experience and a trusted Texas institution. It has come a long way since its humble beginnings in 1962, and its legacy continues to live on because as everyone in Texas knows, at Spec’s – The Fun Starts Here!
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