It's hard to tell what goes on behind the paper window curtains sometimes. So when I saw the owners of The Wine Thief heading into their new digs earlier this morning, I decided to take the opportunity to check on the progress. Last time I had been inside the wall between the former Solid Grounds and the neighboring storefront was still in place. Now the wall has come down, thus transforming the interior into a very sizable wine bar.
Even though the expanded shell offers a glimpse at the overall layout, workers are already inside building out the custom wine cabinet installations. One of those installations will include a WineKeeper brand wine dispensing and preservation system. What does that mean? Well, just think of the Village Beer Merchant beer tap system built to fill the glass growlers. The Wine Thief system works the same way. That means that customers will be able to bring in an expensive bottle of wine that can be served by the glass. The bottles will be stored in the custom wine cabinets and never a less-than-fresh bottle of wine will be served.
Check out the interior layout (bottom photo). This place is going to be one big wine lounge. Wine counters, tasting stations, fireplace seating... there will be a seating nook for just about everyone. The Wine Thief is scheduled to open May 24th.