New wine bar Vines opened Nov. 1 in The Village Square, and Jefferson City east-enders are grateful for the new entertainment option, said owner Lori Smith.
"We have found since we've been open that the east end was starving for this type of arrangement," Smith said. "They only have pizza, and they have Mexican, and that's all they've had on the east side."
Smith and sisters Jody Bruemmer and Dana Hall-Johnson opened the 1507 E. McCarty St. wine and tapas business together. Vines shares space with The Village Square's Brew House Coffee, which closes at 3 p.m. Vines, which operates in the back section of the already existing Brew House, is open from 4-9 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.
Vines' bar offers a selection of six reds and six whites - all California wines - as well as some beers. The menu consists of tapas - Spanish for "small plates" - including dishes like crostinis and desserts.
"The menu changes daily," Smith said, noting Bruemmer and Hall-Johnson do all the cooking themselves. "We will always have some type of shrimp on Friday and Saturday nights; and we almost always have a soup, especially during the winter."
Vines will hold its official grand opening Nov. 29, coinciding with Jefferson City's Small Business Saturday. The Village Square will be one of the trolley stops, offering free transport to Vines' grand opening featuring live music and giveaways in addition to its regular fare.
For more information, visit Vines' Facebook page.