Did you see the searchlights in the sky last night? That was Wine World’s (not-so-secret) secret grand opening party. But tonight, they’re hosting their official grand opening celebration, from 6-9 PM, and everyone’s invited.
The grand opening will provide folks with an opportunity to explore Wine World’s 23,000 square foot space, equipped with two 30 foot tasting bars and a 4,000 square foot room for special events. Live music will be provided by local jazz ensemble Ambience, and while valet parking will be available for $8, they’ll only be able to accommodate 200 cars. Shouldn’t be a problem for most of us who live in Wallingford though, since we all live within staggering walking distance.
Follow the searchlights tonight to Wine World, located at 400 NE 45th St. For more information, check out Wine World Warehouse on Facebook or their website (http://networkedblogs.com/bcLkh).
I wish they had on site daycare while you shop, like Fred Meyer. They could call it “Whine World”.
Chris – nice pun. 🙂
I just bought a bottle of Cab/Sav from Wine World. Despite the fact that I look every minute of my 42 years, they carded me AND scanned the bar code on the back of my driver’s license. Not cool, Wine World.
I don’t think I’ve *ever* had a business scan my license… Weird.
i officially hate wine world. i already disliked it for the huge sign, but now the parking madness has pushed me over the edge. i live on 4th Ave a few houses down and it’s awful. why aren’t they in woodinville or somewhere so they can have a parking lot?
So I went to the opening celebration last night. Lots of energy in the room, but overall, unfortunately, underwhelming and unimpressive.
Lighting–ugh. Still feels like one is in OfficeMax, except for in the party room.
Party Room–“amazing views”? Hardly. You get to see the crappy little motel, and the tattoo parlor, and maybe check to see how traffic on the freeway is before you head out.
Staff– impossible to tell based on last night, too many people, hard to tell who was staff and who wasn’t
Wine selection– meh. I know it’s still early and maybe they still have tons more to stock, but it wasn’t _that_ great, and it was terribly difficult to find anything specific you might be looking for. And one weird thing about last night– most (if not all?) the wineries that were pouring samples weren’t available on the shelves. If you didn’t buy last night you had to go visit them in Woodinville or E. Washington. So what’s the point?
I was also hoping they’d have more info about each wine, maybe a small description card for each with some reviews, etc. If you didn’t know exactly what you were looking at you’d have no idea what to buy.
Space– a little strange. Again, will check back in a few weeks to see if it’s any better, but so cavernous, so much empty space it felt weird. That little sitting area in the back corner– who would use that?
Back on the private party space– how do they expect to hold meaningful events there without a kitchen? What a useful space it would be if there were kitchen facilities! It would be booked all the time. But they really need some window treatments to block out the garbage of the view.
Food/cheese/appetizer selections– there’s more at the little deli near my office near the Market, or QFC for that matter.
So overall, we’ll give it a “wait and see”, but I’m underwhelmed for now, and will likely hit City Cellars first…
First impression of Wine World: being blocked in by its customers’ cars in front of my place on 47th. Just sayin 😉
Oh for chrissakes! Celebrate new businesses, people, or lament their loss like we’ve been lamenting for the past 3 years. Yes, it could use a gay touch. And yes, it needs more wine. But, the parking madness is temporary (what don’t people understand about “GRAND OPENING”) and so are the huge crowds, so relax!
Oh, and you beyotches should be thrilled to have your I.D. checked at your ages. I sure am. Plus, it keeps the children from drinking (or something like that).
Always the bitchy voice of reason,
HK
I’m cool being carded by a retailer, just not having my information captured by them.
Did HorseNuckle actually say “beyotches”? Can someone please card him?
So I take it the “they’ll only be able to accommodate 200 cars” in the original article was sarcasm? Or hyperbole, or something? I mean, that sounds like a lot of parking (Ha ha – get it? A “lot”. Ahem.) to me.
Everything that Bill said: ditto.