We could use a FVW around here also Pete.
There are 2 a few miles away, one has about 1900 square feet of store, and about 75 square feet is jam packed with overpriced wine supply items that ave been there for 2 years, rarely does it change.
The other is a health food store that has great supplies and great prices and 4 to 5 year old kits. He buys out dated kits from a guy out of state and re-sells them at his store......... At full price!
The third store is an hour east of me that is very small, a few items and not very personable at all. They seem to want to rush you out of the store every time I go there. I pick up an item off the shelf and keep looking and they say "is that all, are you ready to check out?" I say no, still looking........ pick another item up and "is that all, are you ready to check out?" Last time I was there I asked if they had a certain kit (a Red kit), and if not could they get it. All I got for an answer was a sales pitch on a white wine that was going out of date................ I left!
My favorite local place...... Alternative Beverage in Charlotte
http://www.ebrew.com/index.htm
I like this guy and the way he runs his business, it's very much like having a "George" right here in NC. Jess always comes out and greets his customers, has a HUGE inventory of kits, product and supplies, anything imaginable and is hardly ever out of stock on anything. He is moving his location to a private business park and his shop will be on the river, in a park like setting for those tasting parties ad wine events.
Best part about Jess is I am sure he does as much in beer business as he does in wine, but I as a wine customer would never know it, because when I'm in his store, I am his only customer, thats how he makes you feel, regardless of how many customers he may have at that moment. And most importantly to me, it's a place that I feel comfortable "hanging" out in if I want. Shop for hours if I want, Jess wouldn't mind, it's good for business.
Anyway.............. Thats over an hour away................ We need a FVW!