Advice solicited

[stevebody]

Guys,

Judye and I have decided to pool our money that's not tied up in investments and open our own wine shop by Christmas of this year. We're working on the prelims, now. I'm wary of seeing the world through my own admittedly-slanted view of retail commerce and would appreciate any advice you can give me on what would constitute the ideal atmosphere and tone to set in your favorite wine shop. I contend that retail ain't exactly rocket surgery: Smile at everybody, learn the names of anyone you see more than once, don't nitpick over returns and be willing to back up your recommendations, set fair prices, and run a LOT of specials. I have a list of possible names and the bones of an interior design scheme but I'm of two minds. One says that places I've worked, like Esquin, can be any sort of drafty, ill-lit hellhole you want as long as the wines are there. The other says that I - who will be running the place 100% of the time it's open - don't want to work in a place as aggressively shabby as Esquin again. Plus, that ain't me. I like paint, lighting, music, and a bit of romance, where possible.

The nuts and bolts of daily ops and the wine list are the least of my worries. If people don't feel good about coming there, I'm sunk, even if I do everything else right.

I'm prostrating myself afore everybody I know for ideas and my back is killin' me but, with Judye's recovery and what that means to our future, I'll take any and all ideas I can get.

Thanks in advance.

Steve