Marques Warren, president of Downtown Spirits, Seattle’s premier beer, wine and spirits retailer, as well as Esquin Wine, recently announced the appointment of Sadr Amir as the companies’ new CEO. Amir begins his tenure immediately. Warren will remain the company’s president while continuing to pursue philanthropic endeavors.
Warren commented, “We are absolutely thrilled to have Sadr on board to lead Downtown Spirits and Esquin into its next era. His experience and industry relationships will build on the legacy of our business.”
A military veteran with nearly two decades of experience, Amir has consistently driven revenue growth, brand development, and market expansion through strategic planning and high-performance team leadership.
Throughout his career, which has included both domestic and international roles, he has held pivotal positions at Remy Cointreau USA and Moët Hennessy USA, where he significantly increased market share and brand visibility. His experience includes serving as the West Region Brand Manager for Krug Champagne, the LVMH Estates and Wine portfolio, and Belvedere Vodka, notably during their global partnership with James Bond.
He led the Southern California team for Moët Hennessy, focusing on enhancing the on-premise and prestige retail channels in Los Angeles. Since relocating to Seattle in 2016, Amir has successfully managed the Moët Hennessy and Remy Cointreau portfolios in the Pacific Northwest, Alaska, and Hawaii and also guided their local brands to higher growth and consumer awareness.
Said Amir, “Our beverage retail landscape is more competitive and vibrant than ever, driven by a diverse range of consumer tastes and the rapid pace of innovation. At Esquin and Downtown Spirits, I see an opportunity to lead by embracing these changes—crafting a unique consumer experience that combines our deep industry knowledge with cutting-edge digital strategies. My vision is to position our company not just as a retailer, but as a trusted partner for both enthusiasts and casual buyers alike, offering more than products, but a journey into the world of fine wines and spirits. We will ensure that we remain at the forefront of the industry while staying true to our roots in quality and service.”
With its 4,200 square-foot location on 7th Avenue between Olive and Stewart, across from Pacific Place, Downtown Spirits became in 2023 the first-ever beer, wine, and spirits retailer to implement Amazon Just Walk Out. The technology is made possible by artificial intelligence like computer vision and deep learning techniques, including generative AI, to accurately determine who took what in any retail environment. Amazon built synthetic datasets to mimic millions of realistic shopping scenarios—including variations in store format, lighting conditions, and even crowds of shoppers—to ensure accuracy in any environment.