Many Wilmingtonians have likely threaded their way through the aisles at the newly opened Total Wine & More. As a wine lover, I was thrilled to see Total Wine open. As a cheerleader of all things local, community, and small businesses. . . I tried to quiet those voices in my head about what this could mean for our many local bottle and wine shops in Wilmington.
Is this Fox Books Superstore meets The Shop Around The Corner? Should I call up the press and rally around our people?
Well, I think I can help quiet some of those fears by sharing a few things I learned this week. Here is what you can expect at Total Wine, plus what local wine shops have that Total Wine may miss.
Total Wine & More
— First impression walking around the store is that it is massive. It’s the size of a grocery store but filled with wine, beers, and even a cigar shop. This superstore offers up THOUSANDS of bottles of wine and beer with familiar brands you see at your grocery store, to labels waiting to be discovered. The sheer volume of wine here will delight any wine lover, I’m sure of it.
— You can expect the staff to be very helpful and enthusiastic. During the opening week, there were employees stationed in most aisles answering questions and sharing recommendations. I could hear champagne bottles popping from across the store at the tasting desk.
— Like most wine shops, Total Wine will offer wine classes beginning this summer.
— The most expensive wine I spotted while there was $2,499 — a first-growth Chateau Margaux. But if you are shopping on a budget, no worries. There are great deals across the store.
— There are selections of less common wines such as two large sections of dessert wines and sakes from Japan. Find a number of wine accessories and gifts from wine openers to big wine buckets.
— The beer selection should not be overlooked here either, from local Wilmington brews to imports, there are thousands to choose from.
— Total Wine has some “wine chilling stations” in their checkout aisles. Simply set your bottle into the bucket of swirling water and it will chill in minutes.
Why Local Shops will Thrive
I really believe our local wine shops will still shine and keep business thriving. Their selections are already pretty impressive, and if you have ever been to one of our shops and spent just five minutes chatting with an owner, you know the obvious advantage here.
First, our local shops are so deeply personable. The repeat customers will tell you, they are friends with the wine shop owners and there is so much joy in these places.
Second, when local shops host a wine class (and they are fabulous and you should join me) they have another advantage. These owners have personally gone to many of the vineyards they share. They tell you the stories of the wines, the people behind them, and the way the air smells when you drive through the front gate. They tell you about the odd winemakers and the crazy ones; the bottles they dream about trying and ones they will never forget. I’m sure Total Wine classes are fantastic, and I may show up at those too! But, I think our shops have the upper hand here.
Lastly, never underestimate the vibrancy and strength of this local community. Here in Wilmington, local businesses, especially in the service industry, have had their share of hardships. We pride ourselves on the patchwork of businesses and restaurants our entrepreneurs have created — it is what gives Wilmington its rich flavor. My hope is we never lose that, and I know I’m not alone.
In conclusion, I’ll stop by Total Wine from time to time for their wonderful shopping experience and I look forward to supporting them for years to come. However, I plan to frequent small businesses on a more regular basis. It is a joy knowing my civic duty from henceforth will be to drink even more wine.
Cheers!
Check out these local bottle and wine shops in Wilmington:
- Bridgewater Wines
- Soif de Vin
- The Fortunate Glass
- Bottles Wine + Beer
- Fermental Beer & Wine
- The Wine Sampler
- Red Bank Wine
- Palate Bottle Shop
- Mon Ame Chocolate and Wine Bar
- Noni Bacca Winery
- The Seasoned Gourmet
- Southern Shores Craft Beer and Wine
- Lighthouse Beer and Wine
Interested in other local businesses around Wilmington? Read more from our blog.
