Partners uncork shop filled with fine vintages
Driving to the Beacon Hill Shopping Centre for my first visit, I was surprised to find that, by taking Sarcee Trail, it wasn't as far as I thought and that it was far bigger than I had imagined. I had seen the imposing Costco high above the Country Club of the Hampton's, but was surprised at the number of other stores and services that are already built there.
I was on my way for a pre-opening tour of a rather unique liquor store that hopes to welcome customers by the end of this week.
Cork Fine Wine, Liquor and Ale is the result of the passion, creativity and hard work of Chris Sikorsky and Joe Hobson, who have designed a store to carry fine wines, specialty liquors and craft beers.
Hobson has been in the industry for many years and worked at the Seagram's/Diageo plant in Amherst, Ont., before moving to Calgary and settling into work at the wine room at Willow Park Wines & Spirits. Sikorsky also had a spell at Willow Park's main store; a perfect place to learn more about wine and how to market it.
They have their personal favourites, of course: Hobson is a huge fan of Italian wines and those from northern California, while Sikorsky leans more towards French, Napa Valley and Washington labels.
My first question was, "Why Cork?" when vintners are turning to screw tops. Hobson's reassuring response suggested a cork is part of the pleasure, romance and culture of drinking. And his store's wine cellar is temperature and humidity controlled, ensuring "the cork maintains it integrity." It is also a low-vibration room and lighting is ultra-violet free.
I didn't realize that vibrations can affect a good wine, but Sikorsky says even after transporting home can cause bottle shock and it should be allowed to sit for a couple of days. All of the wine fridges he has for sale are vibration free.
The 3,100-square-foot shop is built using a lot of rough hewn wood and heavy metal with a central pillar that is surrounded by Eurocave and Vin au Verre machines that will pour wine by the glass. Hobson says it is important that finer wines are tasted as everyone's palette is different; this feature allows customers to smell and taste before purchasing.
Cork is meant to be an enjoyable space where the owners can spend time with customers. They will focus on education of wine that they carefully select from the 15,000 or so labels available in this province. Frequent tastings paired with catered food will no doubt be welcomed by wine lovers in this major growth area of the city.
The location of the store is just inside the huge retail complex in an area of food outlets around a park space.
It's not only the shopping centre that's growing -- the land around it is already scarred to accept a lot more houses. And the new Stoney Trail will make it easier to travel.
Office space has come available in a character building undergoing renovations along 17th Avenue S.W. Owner Caruk & Associates has contracted Larry Gurtler of Avison Young to lease two floors above Megatunes that boast large south-facing windows, a kitchenette and meeting room.
The 1,500 square feet on the second floor is available now and the 2,000-square-foot third floor with mezzanine area will be vacant as of Saturday. Located at the west end of the Devenish Building just around the corner from 8th Street, it is so handy to downtown, yet seems so far away in its own trendy Uptown 17th world.