Bella Vino's last day. . .

. . .for a while, at least.   In conversation after conversation with folks around town I keep hearing people expressing surprise (and relief) that Bella Vino will coming back.  It's been in the papers several times and we've had signs in the store for months but I guess a lot of people still don't know it's coming back. 

So New Year's Eve was the store's last day in that building.  The carryout opened sometime in 1962 and seems to have been operating in that same space more or less continuously ever since.  That's 50 years! 

In about 2007 Wil Chandler and his daughter Lili bought what was then the "One-Stop Carryout" and after much cleaning and renovating turned it into Bella Vino.  Even before 2007 the store was heavily focused on wine and better beer but Lili really took it to a new level.  She got a tasting license and started holding regular tastings and doing a lot of personal marketing.   The store succeeded mostly through the force of her personality and perseverance.  After Wil died in 2011 she decided to sell it.

The last day was filled, predictably, with people buying Champagn and other sparkling wine to celebrate the new year.  The picture below was snapped mid-afternoon.

Bella Vino Carryout on it's last day in the old building.

Bella Vino will still be doing special orders for customers who need wine not available anywhere else in Athens and the popular "wine club" will go on as normal while the store is closed.  Messages are still being taken at the store's phone number, 593-5781.

In September Bella Vino will rise again in a clean, new, air-conditioned space in order to bring our customers the best in specialty wine and craft beer.