Historical December 1992 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
Seven years ago, in the December issue of the Times, this writer announced the opening of two new businesses in the DeBaliviere neighborhood, Tricia Woo on Pershing and West End Wines on Belt at Pershing. Sadly, the former did not experience the ‘good fortune of the latter. But, it is with great pleasure that I write once again about West End Wines and co-partners Melanie Harvey and John Sappington’s second renovation/expansion.
The first expansion occurred five years ago when West End Wines leased the storefront immediately to the south of the original store. At that time, the wine bar was added with on-premises food service for cheese and pates.
The main entrance to the store also was moved. Now, the entrance is back in its original location and the entire store has undergone a reorganization of space with promises of future expansion of services.
The retail side of the shop is now separate from the wine bar which has been expanded to include the entire southern portion of the shop.
According to John, the reason for this expansion was that the wine bar business was picking up without much direct encouragement from us” and the space to make it really work was available without encroaching on the retail inventory.
The two spaces are separated by the checkout counter and a graceful archway that previously had been blocked by the beer refrigerator. Warm yellow walls with a gray floor, natural wood, classic black, and chrome details give a contemporary yet comfortable atmosphere for shopping as well as for eating and drinking. Artist Peg Fetter, a part-time employee, has a handsome collection of works of art exhibited in the wine bar. Bryan Sechrist, AIA, was the architect and Bill Ott the contractor.
The two men did what seems today to be the impossible: The work was done on schedule.
The vision behind the wine bar is to provide a place for relaxing, catching up with friends, having a light lunch or supper, and enjoying a different kind of happy hour during the early evening.
There are fifteen wines by the glass as well as a selection of single malt scotches, single barrel bourbons, port, cognac, sherry, and imported or micro-brewed beer. Draught beer now is available and probably will change monthly in keeping with the wine-of-the-month, a long-standing tradition. Any wine sold on the retail side can be purchased and then enjoyed in the wine bar for a small corkage fee.
A selection of pates, cheeses, and fruit can be made up into a light lunch or supper plates.
There are definite plans to expand the menu to include cold sandwiches, salads, and possibly desserts.
There also will be acoustic music, including jazz piano, on weekends.
However, as Melanie puts it, “first we need to get through the busy holiday season before we can commit to anything specific.” And a busy holiday season West End Wines has, primarily because they are making your holiday shopping and party planning possible.
In addition to providing excellent advice on specific wines for special dinners and parties, they can make up distinctive cheese and pate trays with fruit for any number of guests. Case discounts are available for six and twelve bottle rates. Gift baskets to meet any price range or taste can be created with wines, spirits, cheeses, pates, crackers, nuts, chocolates, or anything else they carry. Delivery service is available. Accessories such as stemware, corkscrews, stoppers, and books round out the list of gift items. Or, you could consider a gift certificate to one or more of West End Wines’ weekly wine tastings.
These wine tastings are one of the shop’s special events that set it apart from other wine stores.
On Friday evenings and Saturday afternoons, there are tastings that allow the neophyte to develop a greater knowledge and appreciation while also introducing new vintages to the experienced connoisseur. John and Melanie also sponsor periodic tastings of spirits and beers.
The December schedule includes ports on the 11th/12th, sparkling wines on the 18th/19th, and on the 10th there will be a holiday beer tasting of seasonal beers.
A periodic newsletter and monthly mailing is available with schedules.
In thinking over the seven years West End Wines has been in business successfully, while other specialty stores have fallen on hard times, this writer concludes it must be the service John, Melanie, and other staff members provide. No need is too small, no question too dumb (and this writer has provided her share), no budget too small for their attention.
It has been a pleasure for the neighborhood and the Times to have West End Wines as a neighbor. Holiday hours are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday from 11 to 7; Thursday and Friday the shop is open until 8.
The telephone number is 367-3099. John and Melanie want to welcome Wildflour Pizza which will be opening soon around the corner from them at 5513 Pershing. Wildflour pizza has won awards in Los Angeles and is noted for its thin crust of white and whole wheat doughs. Sauces, cheeses, and additional toppings will be freshly prepared. St. Louis’s store joins those in Los Angeles and also North Carolina So, combined with Lois Clay’s very tasty Classical Coffee (on Belt), the intersection of Belt and Pershing promises to be a corner of outstanding food and drink opportunities. Now, if there only could be a new, wonderful tenant for the former home of the Bangkok Cafe.
Original photograph caption
West End Wines I. Photographer not credited.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, December 1992.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1992_12.pdf, printed page(s) 3; PDF page(s) 3.
