The first thing you'll notice upon entering Bottle Stop Wine & Spirit Superstore — in the Queen Street plaza next to Caraluzzi's — is its size.
"As you walk in, one thing we wanted to create is the impression that it's very large, but more importantly it's charming and inviting," says sommelier Girish Patel, a wine expert and a son in the family-owned business. "Despite its size, it's easy to navigate."
The spot, the former home of Healing Newtown, is 12,000 square feet — about five times larger than the average liquor store, Patel says, and far larger than any other package store in the area. (It's comparable to the family's other Bottle Stop locations in Ansonia and Madison.)
"Yes, it's a superstore," says Patel. "We want the customer to walk in and feel like they can shop for everything under the sun."
They offer both "investment-grade" wine and a long aisle of value wines — a total of 4,000 wines in all — but their beer and liquor selection is also extensive. A 70-foot, 21-door cooler presents customers with a long selection of microbrews or, if they're feeling a little simpler, plenty of Budweiser and Coors.
There's also a wine-tasting counter in the center of the store where Patel or 25-year wine veteran Ben Crumlich offer samples of their favorites. Patel and Crumlich put care into their selections, detailing many wines with a label featuring reviews from critics.
"The key is an inviting atmosphere," says Patel. "You don't want to feel like you're lost in a warehouse. We wanted to create an experience that's second to none."
Bottle Stop opened its doors about a month ago, and since then they've hosted a series of wine tastings, including one coming up this weekend.
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