If you’re looking for the Oxford Wine & Beverage Company, the shop moved ? across the street.
Downtown Oxford’s only place to buy fine wines, premium beers and hand-rolled cigars recently moved from 24 to 11 S. Washington Street, the southwest quadrant building formerly occupied by the now-defunct Meadowbrook Interiors
‘It’s a good story because we’re actually moving up ? more space, more product,? said owner Dean Rondy.
Rondy’s new location offers a 2,000-square-foot first floor ? double the size of his old space across the street ? plus a basement.
‘I never wanted to be that small,? said Rondy of his previous location. ‘I always wanted to be bigger ? offer more product, more services.?
From the beginning, Rondy said his goal has been to have a ‘big town selection with the small town feel.?
‘There’s a lot of things that you can’t get in this town, things you have to drive to Rochester for.?
To that end, he plans to install refrigeration units so he can offer his customers a selection of fine cheeses to complement his stock of more than 1,000 wines.
‘We have all the crackers and party stuff, but the one thing we’re lacking is cheese,? he said.
Rondy also plans to ‘double? his beer selection and offer more single bottles for sale. This gives customers the opportunity to sample new beers without having to buy a whole six-pack.
Although the wine selection is already quite extensive, Rondy plans to increase his stock of French and Austrailian wines along with Pinot Noirs, popularized by the 2004 movie ‘Sideways.?
Rondy would like to use part of his new basement to offer ‘intro to wine? classes, which is part of his overall desire to make wine buying a ‘more educational? endeavor for customers.
‘It’s not like going to a large-scale retailer where you’re just shopping,? he said. ‘It should be an experience. You should learn something.?
From maps of wine countries and regions lining the walls to a computer station with software aimed at helping customers pair the right wines with certain foods, Rondy has big plans to make wine buying at his shop an experience that enriches the mind as well as the palate.
‘The whole idea is to become a lot more user-friendly,? he said.
For cigar lovers, Rondy plans to construct a walk-in humidor to house his selection of premium stogies which boasts such popular brands as Onyx Reserve and Rocky Patel.
At some point in the future, if he can work out the ventilation issues, Rondy would like to turn part of his new basement into a cigar room ? a place with a ‘living room feel? where guys are free to smoke and watch football.
‘Come winter time, a lot of these guys can’t smoke in the house,? he explained. ‘I want to give them an outlet.?
Overall, Rondy is excited and optimistic about his new location and making it the kind of place where ‘people come in and talk, a real family atmosphere.?
‘Hopefully, it’s a win-win for everybody.?
Oxford Wine & Beverage Company is now located at 11 S. Washington Street.
For more information call (248) 236-9881.