Jackson Heights Life

BTW - there already is a supermarket that sells wines in JH. in very limited quantity, but they do it. I dont know why and I'm not going to divulge because I like the people there.

I think some of the "wines" we see in super markets are classified as malt beverages and so they can be sold in super markets as if they were beer.

I am actively pursuing a venture opening a new store in JH, selling affordable quality wines, but I am waiting the outcome of this proposed law change.  I am hopeful that we will be selling wine & craft beer, along with food items to go with the beverages (IE nice cheeses.) If/when that happens, I hope you shop at my store instead of Trade Fair!



Do you have a location?

Not yet.  We put the search on hold awaiting the outcome of this legislation but there are several empty store fronts available on 37th Ave. near 80th St. 

I used to buy wine from Trader's Joe when I lived in California.  You couldn't beat their prices.  I also went to Liquor stores when I wanted real help in picking out wine.   I think NY has outdated liquor laws.

I can't imagine the horrific selection that C-Town would have.

I don't know that supermarkets will necessarily compete with a well-done, personalized-service wine store, like Table Wine is. Since it takes me a good half-hour to walk to table wine and back - when I have guests over I sometimes have to stop at one of the less pleasant liquor stores and just grab a bottle of whatever's there (Yellowtail has often become a default table wine because of that).  Also, as far as hours go, Table Wine is not that easy for me - by the time I get home and take the dog out for a potty break, many neighborhood stores, including Table Wine are closed. (If it closes before 8:30-9, I'm not gonna make it most nights) If I could buy a half-decent bottle of wine at Trade Fair or another supermarket that is open (I don't know if the 24-hour Indian groceries near me would choose to sell wine) as I pick up something for dinner, I would greatly appreciate it.

I think that the  supermarkets will take some of the wine sales from liquor stores, but a well run wine store shouldn't have too much to fear. I know that where my parents live in Virginia, they often buy wine at Whole Foods or Harris Teeter supermarkets, but they also patronize Best Cellars in Arlington, which seems to do just fine despite the availability of wine in local supermarkets. http://www.bestcellars.com/aboutbc/stores_clarendon.cfm In many ways, Table Wine reminds me of Best Cellars in that there's a carefully chosen small selection of all-good, not-too-expensive wines - curating and organizing the selection makes all the difference in the world.
 
Table Wine seems to be doing the right thing - having tastings, explaining wines - building a community around its wine store. Plus, once supermarkets can sell wine, can't wine stores sell crackers, cheeses, and things that are frequently eaten with wine? Wouldn't it also allow them to sell specialty and crafted beers as well?

Here's another article about another VA-based wine store, The Curious Grape, which also exists quite nicely amongst thousands of supermarkets selling wine. (I point out VA since that's where I have experience with wine in Grocery Stores coexisting with wine stores...I know California does it too, and specialty wine stores are everywhere there)  http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/14/AR2010011401618.html

Marcus, thanks for sharing the article.  As someone who is not comfortably familiar with wines, vintages, food pairings, etc., I appreciate whatever help I can get in making a good selection, and the events at The Curious Grape make for good business sense IMHO.  I would imagine that this type of service almost guarantees that people in that store's vicinity will be drinking good wine more often.  Out local Table Wine seems to have started off on the right foot.

I for one would love to see wine offered in grocery stores.  On a recent trip back home (Al.) I was surprised to see the great selection of wine and craft beer offered at one of their nicer grocery stores.  My feeling is that if someone is into vintage, hard to find wines they would not be interested in this type of venue and as far as advice on pairing wine with food and general advice about wine I have to tell you most wine stores I've been to are really not as educated about their product in other words many will just give a pat generalization...spicy/fruity/dry.  This is where an educated consumer is better off.  I am a firm believer is doing your research.  I have discovered that my tastes lean toward full- bodied reds with a hint of blackberry/cherry...in other words mostly a syrah, shiraz or cabernet sauvignon. Cheers!