Poco Vino Wine Bar and Market left its patrons with a bittersweet taste after an Instagram post Sunday evening announcing the closure of its brick-and-mortar downtown location, with plans to embrace the next phase of the growing brand.
The wine shop will continue to operate its 225 S. Adams St. location until May 29; tastings and events will help close out the space.
"We love Tallahassee, and it has been so good to us," Poco Vino owner Amanda Morrison said in an interview Monday with the Tallahassee Democrat. "You know, I'm in hospitality and so you just want to reach everyone, and you want to serve everyone and share that experience. This is going to give us that opportunity too."
For the last three years, the partners in wine – Morrison and husband Gus Corbella – have introduced Tallahassee to an elevated wine experience in the historic Gallie's Hall and Building, creating a space for special moments.
The wine shop initially contributed to a renaissance of the long-moribund downtown business district that had ceded a variety of retail shops in the 20th century to lobbying and PR firms in the 21st.
More recently, however, the revival of the old Andrew's restaurant into the Hayward House and the long-awaited reopening of the Governor's Inn , just a few doors down, at least cemented some hospitality life into the area.
"When we opened up the shop, the goal was to build a lifestyle brand where people could trust us with fine wines, memorable events, incredible dinners and other experiences," Corbella said.
The next phase of Poco Vino introduces two other concepts within the brand: Poco Vacays and Poco Wine Events, both of which cater to the couple's goal of sharing and creating an elevated experience for everyone.
"Life is always about timing. So many things lined up to kind of signal to us that this is a really great time to put our full time and energy on that," Morrison said on the decision to embrace the brand's transition.
Poco Vacays is inspired by the wine centric lifestyle of the couple who travel near and far to different vineyards and wineries, which Morrison referred to as the "cornerstone" of their life, relationship and joy together. The concept is to take small groups to various wine regions, meeting the requests of those who have witnessed the couple's travels on social media and have asked to tag along as well.
The second half of the new venture is Poco Wine Events. The event aspect keeps Tallahassee and other regions engaged in a way that is true to the couple's brand. This branch is for pop-up events that partner up with chefs and other brands to create wine dinners and experiences that bring people together and educate them simultaneously.
Poco Vino also will maintain its subscription service, even introducing new selections.
So far, the couple says it has received positive feedback about their decision. Many are excited to join along despite the disappointment of not visiting the downtown shop at their convivence. One Instagram user commented: "This little gem downtown will be missed, but I'm also excited to see you soar. "
"I will never forget we made so many memories in that beautiful building," said Morrison, who also operated the Happy Motoring! bar and community gathering space on South Adams Street from 2018 to 2022.
She recalled moments in the store's greenhouse room, where groups gathered at large tables to share meals, drinks and conversations, starting as strangers, leaving as friends.
If you go
When : 12 p.m.-8 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday; 12 p.m.-9 p.m. Friday; 12 p.m.-5 p.m. Saturday
Where : 225 S. Adams St.
Kyla A Sanford covers dining and entertainment for the Tallahassee Democrat. She can be reached at ksanford@tallahassee.com. New restaurant opening up, special deals, or events coming up? Let me know!
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Tallahassee business news: Poco Vino to close downtown wine shop amid expansion plans
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