Melissa Sensinger, manager of the Fine Wine & Good Spirits store in Jim Thorpe, knows that her employees have a relationship with the people of the town.

“I’ve always had a friendly staff,” she said. “I have people, when some of my clerks aren’t working — I have customers asking — ‘where is this person today?’ ”

But for years they were confined to a small location on Route 903, with even less space for parking. So she said customers are thrilled to check out the brand-new Fine Wine & Good Spirits, which held its grand opening Thursday. Customers enjoyed 10 percent off all purchases during the store’s opening day of business.

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“When they walk in the door, it’s like another world for them — they’re fascinated,” she said.

The new store at 2 River St. in Jim Thorpe, located next to the Jim Thorpe Market, offers customers better parking, selection and convenience compared to the former location. It includes a “Made in Pennsylvania,” section, and it will also feature Sunday hours for the first time.

Officials with the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, which runs the state’s system of stores, said under Gov. Tom Wolf they have been tasked with making the system as convenient as possible for consumers, something the new store, with its expanded hours, will do.

“Gov. Wolf has given the board one direction — the one direction is we need to have a consumer-friendly environment for the shoppers of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania,” said Tim Holden, chairman of the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board and a former congressman from Schuylkill County.

The store in Jim Thorpe has never been at an ideal site to serve residents and tourists, said PLCB Executive Director Charlie Mooney. He said this store should remedy that.

“It’s long overdue,” he said.

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Sensinger said the added Sunday hours will add convenience for retail customers as well as restaurants and bars that have liquor licenses. In the past, if an establishment had a busy weekend, they would sometimes have to wait until Monday morning to stock up.

“Especially for tourists and licensees. I think that will really help our licensees, being open on Sundays,” she said.

She said it also helps that they’re closer to the tourism center of Broadway, and by the market, which should draw in more customers.

The two businesses should drive more business to each other in a “symbiotic” relationship, said Kathy Henderson, director of economic development for the Carbon Chamber and Economic Development Corporation.

Henderson said she thinks the new location is much easier to access, and more updated.

“I think Jim Thorpe deserves a beautiful store like this, and the state knows we’re here,” she said.

Jim Thorpe Councilwoman Edie Lukasevich was one of several council members who attended the grand opening, as well as the county commissioners and office staff for state legislators.

She said the new location is more convenient, and will be even better when a proposed beer distributor opens next door next month.

“You can do it all, get your wine, get your beer and get your groceries,” she said.