Jan 26, 2025
Four years after opening Wilder Wines on Cherry Street in Burlington, Sipha Lam will move her tiny bottle shop and open a wine bar a few blocks away this spring. Still called Wilder Wines, the new dual-purpose spot will take over the big-windowed retail space next to Common Deer at 210 College Street, most recently home to the Tinkering Turtle toy shop. There, Lam will have room to increase her retail selection, expand her 150-person wine club and add a bar — something she’s been looking to do for a few years, she told Seven Days. Lam, 35, grew up in Burlington and was determined to keep her business downtown, she said. Coincidentally, the day before the Tinkering Turtle announced its closure in October, she had gone in to buy a toy for a birthday party. “I spent two seconds there, bought a truck and walked out,” she said. “Within two weeks of when I learned it was available, I signed a lease.” The current Wilder Wines shop will remain open until mid-April, Lam said, then she’ll move everything to the new location for a May launch. The 25-seat European-style wine bar — with additional patio seating in summer — will offer “a mix of everything,” she said, with eight by-the-glass options to start and a 50- to 75-bottle list in a broad range of prices. “And maybe fun specials like a lambrusco spritz,” she added. “I’m all about a lambrusco spritz.” Current customers appreciate Wilder Wines’ curated selection and approachability, Lam said — it’s what she likes, rather than what’s trendy, and is exclusively from small, organic growers who don’t manipulate their wines with additives. The new retail shop will be larger but not "overwhelming," she said, and the popular $20-and-under shelf will stay. The extra room will let her dedicate entire sections to specific regions, such as Vermont or Japan, and expand non-wine market offerings. The wine bar’s small selection of food offerings will include snacks from Vermont producers such as Jasper Hill Farm, Monti Verdi Salumi, Pitchfork Pickle and 5th Quarter, plus potato chips, tinned fish and olives. The big, bright space will also allow Lam to host Vermont winemakers for tastings and educational events, she said. Eventually, she’ll offer classes. “We’ve built a loyal community over the past four years, and I think those people will continue to show up,” she said. “I want it…
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