Business Profile: Raise a Glass to New Neighbors

By Greg Borzo

Here's a new concept: BYOF, as in Bring Your Own Food. It's one of the creative, community-oriented ideas uncorked by the team of four women who work at WineStyles at 1240 S. Michigan Ave.

"We are more than a wine club or wine bar," said Sara Kay Snider, manager and sommelier of the store. "We like to think of ourselves as a community center, where people gather to meet friends ... and to make new ones."

The BYOF policy encourages patrons to bring their own snacks or even bring in leftovers for reheating in the store's toaster oven or microwave. Most patrons bring in cheese to nibble with their wine, but some have brought in fancy three-course meals.

"If you want to go out for dinner, we offer the cheapest seat in town because you can bring your own food," Snider said.

Other features designed to build community are: free wine tastings Thursday evenings; live music Thursday and Friday evenings; deliveries; free wi-fi; and a wine club, which makes WineStyles the only wine club in town with an actual clubhouse, according to Snider.

WineStyles also offers four classes on select Wednesday evenings titled: All About Whites; All About Reds; Food and Wine Pairing; and For the Love of Cheese and Chocolate. The cost ranges from $25- $45 per class.

Although locally owned and operated, this store is one of WineStyles' 150 wine boutiques around the country. Like the others, it is designed like an old-world wine cellar.

"Although we are a franchise, each WineStyles has its own character," said Tracye D. Hinton, owner of the South Loop store. "In our case, we are committed to the South Loop, and all four of us who work here live between Polk and 16th Street."

A unique WineStyles feature is that instead of being organized by varietal, region or country, the wines are organized by eight different styles: Crisp, Silky, Rich and Bubbly for whites; and Fruity, Mellow, Bold and Nectar for reds. Each bottle, which ranges from $10 and $25, is accompanied by a description of the wine and suggested food pairings.

Although the economy took a turn for the worse shortly after this store opened last February, the business is doing well, Snider said. "Wine is a great way to bring people together, and people still want to do that - despite the sorry state of the economy." WineStyles is also an SLN Business Partner, so when SLN members show their membership cards, they get a 10% discount on all wine purchases.

WineStyles: 1240 S. Michigan Ave.

www.winestyles.net/southloop