“I’m not ready to pack it in just yet,” says Wine Lovers owner Chris Anderson. (Photo by Lena Price)
Wine Lovers, which set up shop three years ago at Short Pump Crossing, is moving down the road to a smaller space at 3442 Lauderdale Drive. Owner Chris Anderson said he’s downsizing to cut operating costs.
“I’ve been in the business about 16 years, and I’m not ready to pack it in just yet,” Anderson said. “This new location is more neighborhood-centric, and I think it’s going to be a better fit for us.”
He plans to move out of the Short Pump location by the end of the month and should reopen in the 1,300-square-foot space in the Shops at Wellesley by mid-April.
The new space is about 900 square feet smaller and 25 percent cheaper than his current location at 3404 Pump Road, Anderson said. And unlike Short Pump Crossing, which is anchored by a Martin’s, the new shopping center doesn’t house a competing grocery store.
Anderson said local wine shops have taken a hit since Martin’s took over the alcohol-free Ukrop’s chain in 2010 and began selling wine and beer.
“You can’t introduce 26 new wine shops into a city and expect the independent retailers to not be affected,” Anderson said. “There just aren’t as many of us as there used to be.”
Anderson broke into the wine business 16 years ago when he bought Wine and Beer Westpark. He eventually sold the store and opened Wine Lovers on John Rolfe Parkway. Wine Lovers moved to Short Pump Crossing in 2010.
Wine and Beer Westpark, which was also located next to a Ukrop’s-turned-Martin’s store, closed in early 2012.
It was among several local independent wine shops that went out of business after a Martin’s opened nearby.
Anderson said his knowledge of wine has helped him compete with grocery stores and bigger franchises.
“We help our customers find the best bottle for the least amount of money,” Anderson said. “That’s really the holy grail of the business.”
“I’m not ready to pack it in just yet,” says Wine Lovers owner Chris Anderson. (Photo by Lena Price)
Wine Lovers, which set up shop three years ago at Short Pump Crossing, is moving down the road to a smaller space at 3442 Lauderdale Drive. Owner Chris Anderson said he’s downsizing to cut operating costs.
“I’ve been in the business about 16 years, and I’m not ready to pack it in just yet,” Anderson said. “This new location is more neighborhood-centric, and I think it’s going to be a better fit for us.”
He plans to move out of the Short Pump location by the end of the month and should reopen in the 1,300-square-foot space in the Shops at Wellesley by mid-April.
The new space is about 900 square feet smaller and 25 percent cheaper than his current location at 3404 Pump Road, Anderson said. And unlike Short Pump Crossing, which is anchored by a Martin’s, the new shopping center doesn’t house a competing grocery store.
Anderson said local wine shops have taken a hit since Martin’s took over the alcohol-free Ukrop’s chain in 2010 and began selling wine and beer.
“You can’t introduce 26 new wine shops into a city and expect the independent retailers to not be affected,” Anderson said. “There just aren’t as many of us as there used to be.”
Anderson broke into the wine business 16 years ago when he bought Wine and Beer Westpark. He eventually sold the store and opened Wine Lovers on John Rolfe Parkway. Wine Lovers moved to Short Pump Crossing in 2010.
Wine and Beer Westpark, which was also located next to a Ukrop’s-turned-Martin’s store, closed in early 2012.
It was among several local independent wine shops that went out of business after a Martin’s opened nearby.
Anderson said his knowledge of wine has helped him compete with grocery stores and bigger franchises.
“We help our customers find the best bottle for the least amount of money,” Anderson said. “That’s really the holy grail of the business.”