Wine Shop on Washington Avenue to Open in January

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Christmas Trees Can Be Made of Anything; Including Books.  This One at Maine Coast Book Shop, Damariscotta.

Christmas Trees Can Be Made of Anything.  This One at Maine Coast Book Shop, Damariscotta, is Made of Books!   Wine Bottles Next?

By Carol McCracken  (Post # 2,270)

Maine & Loire Wine Shop co-owner Peter Hale said this afternoon that his business will be opening in January. The target date for the opening is Tuesday, January 6, 2015.  This is more of a squishy date and subject to delay, however. Hale and his wife, Orenda,  are co-owners of the business, located at 63 Washington Avenue, the former J. J. Nissen Building on Munjoy Hill.

The  Hales relocated to Portland from Brooklyn,NY recently.  They are part of an on-going migration – Brooklynites  seeking a new frontier – many looking for cheaper rents and larger spaces in which to establish their businesses and better environments in which to raise families. .The Hales worked in enough restaurants in New York to know they had no interest in owning one themselves. .  They decided the retail wine business was for them here on Munjoy Hill.

They are Inspired by the Maine-et-Loire “department” in the west-central section of France because it is  home to wines like Muscadet, Anjour and Cheveny and some of their favorite producers.  “The shop is a playful nod to two places which are dear to our hearts,” the Hales wrote on their web page.  Hale and his family have a long history of vacationing on Bailey’s Island where his parents are now retired.

The Shop will offer a Vine to Table Wine Club;  patrons can sign up for a monthly, curated selection of two wines.  The 6-month membership costs $210. and a 12-month membership is available for $420.  Other features include a Grab-n-Go policy and a generous return policy,

Hale, a drummer, was a founding member in 2008 of “Here We Go Magic” a rock band based in New York City. (The group has a few recordings of which Bull Moose in Scarborough has copies.) He doesn’t  have much time for that interest anymore since working on the wine shop.  “But I sure do enjoy drinking wine,” he said laughing and convincingly.

Fa-La-La-La-Laaa-La-La-La-La !