Tony Leon, the co-founder of the Dan Murphy’s chain and former Coles Liquor boss, has acquired a 50 per cent stake in independent retailer, Steve’s Liquor.

Steve’s Liquor operates five retail stores in Victoria and Tasmania. The other half of the business is owned by Steve and Glen Skelton, with Shane Vella a minority partner.

Leon,who retired in June last year as the head of Coles’ liquor division,  is now planning an extensive rollout for the chain.

Leon told Fairfax Media there were plans in place for strong organic growth, but also the potential for further acquisitions.

“I’d like to double or triple the business in the next three to five years, and that’s without acquisitions,’’ he said.

Leon was a co-founder of the Dan Murphy’s liquor chain, where he was GM for more than 20 years, the last nine of those under the ownership of Woolworths, until joining Coles in 2008.