acquiring

[wondersofwine]

Working parttime in a wine store does sound like a good way to learn more about the business before taking such a plunge. If you pursue this, try to find a wine retailer who can mentor you (knowledgeable and in the store many hours). You should probably be honest with the owner/manager that you want to go out on your own eventually but not in the same neighborhood where you would be directly competing.
Three facets of customer service that I appreciate in my usual wine store are:
1) frequent tastings (free tastings every Saturday and paid tastings or wine dinners (with a sister restaurant) fairly often--I tend to buy what I have already tried and liked.
2) If you can manage this (a big if in New York area where real estate is probably beaucoup expensive per square foot), temperature-controlled storage for up to six months for your customers. This is a real advantage with the hot summers in North Carolina. At least keep the wines under good storage conditions prior to sale (not upright for long periods; not too hot) and try to work with shippers/distributors to see that they ship and store under controlled temperatures.
3) Good website with notification by e-mail to customers of specials, new arrivals, etc. Is-wine, Carolina Wine Company, and Bassin's in DC all do some or all of this as do many other wine retailers.

[This message has been edited by wondersofwine (edited 05-08-2003).]