Today we’d like to introduce you to Alex Basich.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
The Noble Grape offers a hip, boutique wine shop in a casual, comfortable setting with moderate prices and a unique wine selection that appeals to the smart, eclectic consumer from its neighborhood, Noble Square in the West Town district.
The Noble Grape’s “sophisticated, approachable wine” philosophy and “service first” approach meet the needs of its customers. This same philosophy and approach is brought to our craft beers & spirits collection. The Noble Grape has weekly tastings every Wednesday and Friday from 6-8pm
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
We opened in 2008 during the height of the recession… although it was a slow start, we have steadily grown over the past 9 years to be the superior wine shop in Noble Square that grosses over $1 million in sales yearly.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about The Noble Grape – what should we know?
We try to make buying wines, craft beer and good spirits easy, A lot of times wine shop make it super confusing due to the intricacies of wine such as varietals, vintages, wine-making and regions from all over the world. 80% of our wines cost under $20 per bottle. We taste everything that we sell and will not sell it if it is not good. We always try to remember that it is about our customers and not about what we like. We listen and try to stay on trend when applicable.
At the same time providing products that are not available everywhere. We also have a lot of BYOB restaurants near us that we deliver or help our customers buy the right wine for the right occasion.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
To be honest this city, county and state make it very difficult for small businesses, especial restaurants and wine shops. There is a lot of red tape and not a lot of structure due to budget cuts. Anyone starting out should know that starting a business requires a lot of patience and money.
On the other hand, our neighborhood is growing and everyday we have more people moving in around us.
Contact Info:
- Address: 802 N Bishop St.
- Website: www.noblegrape.net
- Phone: 312-846- 1204
- Email: info@noblegrape.net
- Instagram: @thenoblegrape
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/thenoblegrape
- Twitter: @thenoblegrape
- Yelp: www.yelp.com/thenoblegrape
The Noble Grape for Bloomspot on May 17, 2011
The Noble Grape for Bloomspot on May 17, 2011
The Noble Grape for Bloomspot on May 17, 2011
The Noble Grape for Bloomspot on May 17, 2011
The Noble Grape for Bloomspot on May 17, 2011
The Noble Grape for Bloomspot on May 17, 2011
The Noble Grape for Bloomspot on May 17, 2011
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