Megan Goodmundson of the JACC neighborhood literally drove me to drink, giving me a ride to a free wine tasting at Broadway Liquor Outlet, (BLO) which locals pronounce "Blow."
The wine tasting takes place monthly, with one or two beer tastings a year, as well. The events...
...are publicized via email notification, which customers can sign up for by stopping at BLO, click here for their website.
Dean Rose, the owner (pictured above, and also pictured with his wife) says BLO has spent 20 years in that location. Rose is a third-generation retailer, and his father grew up in "NoMi" before folks started calling it "NoMi."
In 2006, according to Dean, "we decided we weren't taking our store out of the hood, so we took the hood out of the store." Interior renovations were made to the floor, and the ticky-tacky "drop down ceiling" was removed to reveal the original tin ceiling, which received a copper-colored paint job. For the record, this is the most copper color I've seen on the entire North Side, combined!
Rose emphasizes how BLO is a neighborhood-oriented wine store. One of his major competitors, Rose says, is like "a grocery store for liquor" with a "different vibe."
Yeah. "Different vibe."
Rose is too kind to his fellow businesspeople. On the bright side, the world's largest YWCA is expected to totally revitalize that OTHER corner of the neighborhood with the OTHER liquor store.
According to Rose, BLO hopes to make the facade of their building nicer "when some money is available." He emphasizes that if you have some special liquor you're seeking, he can order it for you. In the picture above, Connie Nompelis (No-bell-iss) inquires about a Rosenblum Vintner's Cuvee' which is some kind of...Zamboni?
Or was it...Infidel?
No, wait, I know...ZINFINDEL!!!
7 comments:
I love BLO! Dean is really knowledgeable about wine and has great recommendations! Great little wine shop for the neighborhood.
I love love love going to the FREE wine tastings at BLO because I run into great neighbors that I already knew or new ones to meet & greet.
Plus I get to try new wines and Dean is always so good about taking the time to tell the story about the wine.
That when when I stop in here and there I already have an idea about what I want to pick up.
Great NoMi business!
Oh yeah - sorry for 'driving you to drink' - I sometimes have that effect on people.
LOLs.
It should also be noted Dean let's us use his dumpster to throw away trash when a Restorative Justice participant is picking up trash along Broadway or Penn. Thanks again, Dean!
Like any other business, the sale of alcohol also has its own risks and responsibilities. You need to have a thorough knowledge of the requirements to streamline your business. Many complications coming your way will be eliminated if you have a personal alcohol licence.
Can I have my spam on a lightly toasted bagel, with mayo and lettuce?
>>>Many complications coming your way will be eliminated if you have a personal alcohol licence.<<<
Troll spam fail. Learn how to spell license correctly.
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