State of UrFriendCharles: Q1 2026 Recap
104 bottles shipped. 73 unique products sold. 17 states reached. Here's everything that happened in Q1 — and what's coming next.
We've been building. Quietly, consistently, and with purpose. Q1 2026 is officially in the books, and before we lock in on Q2, we want to bring you inside the numbers, the products, and everything we shipped — literally and figuratively.
If you've been following UrFriendCharles, you already know what we're about: a curated platform for Black-owned spirits, wine, beer, and culture-forward products. No fluff. Real support for real brands.
Here's the full Q1 breakdown.
Q1 by the Numbers
These aren't vanity metrics. Every number here represents real orders, real customers, and real support for Black-owned brands.
- 104 bottles shipped — real orders, real people, real support
- 73 unique products sold — 73 distinct SKUs found a home this quarter
- 17 states reached — coast to coast, our footprint is growing
- 68 new products added — fresh drops to the catalog
And we're just getting started.
What Y'all Are Buying: Sales Breakdown by Category
One of the most telling parts of any quarter is the sales mix. Here's how Q1 broke down by spirit category:
Whiskey leads — but gin is quietly growing. 👀
Category Winners: Top Seller Per Category
One product stood out in each category this quarter. Every one of these is Black-owned. Every one of them earned their spot based on what you actually bought.
Top 6 Sellers for Q1
Looking at overall sales across all categories, here's what moved the most this quarter. Birdie Brown taking the top spot is a statement — an approachable, well-priced bottle that punches above its weight, and our customers found it. That's exactly what this platform is for.
Top Sellers for Q1
All Black-owned. All discovered right here.
Beyond the Bottle: More Than a Spirits Shop
UrFriendCharles has always been about culture, not just product. We didn't just sell bottles. We sold experiences, stories, and culture. That's the mission.
Beyond the Bottle
Culture in every category.
Where We Shipped: 17 States in Q1
Q1 deliveries went to 17 states across the country. Here are the top 5 by order volume:
Is your state on the map yet? Most of our spirits ship to 44 states, and we have products that ship nationwide. If you've been on the fence, there's a good chance we can get something to your door.
New This Quarter: 68 Products Added
We didn't slow down on sourcing. 68 new products hit the catalog in Q1. We didn't just add products — we added categories. The platform now covers more of what you need to build a full bar experience, from the bottle to the garnish to the mixer.
New This Quarter
68 new products dropped in Q1. Here are a few we're especially excited about.
Behind the Scenes: What We Built in Q1
The storefront is only part of the story. Here's what we shipped on the platform side:
⚡ Out-of-Stock Reminders — Sign up to get notified the moment a sold-out product restocks. No more missing your favorite bottle.
🤖 Lil Charles AI Chatbot — Our AI-powered spirits guide is live on the site in beta. Ask it anything — what to sip, what to gift, what pairs with what. It's like having a friend in the spirits industry available 24/7.
📰 Featured in Beyondish — UrFriendCharles was featured this quarter for the work we're doing and why it matters. Recognition is nice. Building is better. View story here
The platform is growing. The mission hasn't changed.
What's Next: Q2 Is Loading
More brands. More categories. More ways to discover Black-owned spirits.
If Q1 was about proving we could do this, Q2 is about scale.
- Shop now: urfriendcharles.com
- Follow for updates — stay first in the know
- Drop your questions — Charles reads everything
Share this with someone who needs to know about UrFriendCharles. 🔄
UrFriendCharles is a curated e-commerce platform featuring Black-owned spirits, wine, beer, and culture products with nationwide shipping. Founded and operated by Charles, based in the DMV.
