Wally Kennedy: New store boasts 500 wine labels

There’s so much happening right now along Range Line Road and at Northpark Mall that I’m going to have to give it to you in what we in the newsroom call “bullets.” In a bullet, you get the high points but not much else.

First, there’s a new tenant in Oakland Plaza, near Zora Street and Range Line Road, that’s going to give local vendors of wine and spirits a run for the money with competitive pricing.

Mark Lovelady has opened Unique, 2609 N. Range Line Road, a purveyor of more than 500 wine labels. He has one of the largest selections of microbrew and craft beers in the area.

“If we don’t have the wine label they want, we can have whatever they want in a couple of days,” he said. “Our selection of craft beers has gone over real well.”

The store, which has a drive-through window, features wine, beer and liquor tastings daily. If you buy a lot, the staff will help you carry it to your car. When is the last time you saw someone do that for a customer?

Right now, you can get a free bag of ice with a beer purchase.

The interesting thing about Lovelady is that he was general manager for eight years of the Macadoodle’s at the state line in McDonald County.

Macadoodle’s, which is building a new storefront in 1717 Marketplace, already is facing some stiff competition from someone who knows the business, and it hasn’t even opened yet. Could this lead to a price war? We can only hope so.

Real wood

Wood You, a store specializing in all kinds of unfinished furniture in all kinds of wood, opened on Labor Day in the former Dream Sleep storefront at 515 N. Range Line Road.

Joey McCaig, owner of the business, said the store will feature unfinished bedroom suites, entertainment centers, kitchen items, bar stools, bookcases, desks and children’s furniture in pine, oak, aspen and birch at competitive prices.

“It’s all real wood — no particle board,” said McCaig, who used to manage the Wood You store in Springfield. “You can stain it or paint it, and we can have it done for you to match furniture you already have.”