Former Midtown Sommelier Brings ‘Community’ To Chelsea Wine Shop

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Source: https://patch.com/new-york/chelsea-ny/former-midtown-sommelier-brings-community-chelsea-wine-shop

Community aims to foster shared enjoyment of wine and spirits over master classes, interactive shopping and hand-picked inventory.

CHELSEA, NY – Whether you’re a wine enthusiast looking to expand your palette or a novice seeking the right bottle, there’s a new wine store in Chelsea for you.

Community Wine & Spirits, located at 140 10th Ave near 19th St., opened Nov. 17 at the former site of clothing store Steven Alan, offering “a space … built to stoke the imagination and pique the thirst of anyone who comes through our doors.”

“From wine-tasting classes to rock-climbing seminars, book clubs, and more, we believe there is something here for everyone, and we’d love to welcome you to our diverse and mindful community,” reads the new store’s website.

Helmed by David Weitzenhoffer, a 25-year wine industry veteran and former wine director and importer at Midtown’s now-shuttered Felidia, the store is aimed to be a communal gathering place and destination for wine lovers to share their love for wine and spirits.

“The future of retail is interactive,” Weitzenhoffer said in a statement. “At Community, we’re offering New Yorkers an opportunity to find new things in an unexpected environment,” said David Weitzenhoffer. He continued, “from the wide-open floor plan and eye-level displays to the desert mural and Nicolas Cage’s nose sculpture on the wall, everything we’re doing here encourages our guests to hang out and try something new.”

Expect an inventory of hand-picked wines from beverage director Ben Bohen and local and favorite spirit brands curated by assistant beverage director Kasia Rejzerewiscz, plus a Looking Glass video wall with AI motion tracking that drops customers into wine regions ranging from South Africa and New Zealand to New York’s Finger Lakes.

The scenic landscapes will reflect Community’s growing inventory, which can be previewed here.

What’s more, 1.0011% (Chelsea’s zip code) of all sales will benefit Manhattan-based LGBTQ+ health service provider Callen-Lorde.

Also in the works is a full schedule of boozy classes and workshops, such as the upcoming Bossing Up With A Restaurant Wine List on Thursday, Nov. 30 hosted by Weitzenhoffer himself, The Art of Blending with Kings County Distillery on Dec. 15 and a free Community Grand Tasting on Dec. 2.

Weitzenhoffer plans to host similar tastings from 1 to 4 p.m. on the first Saturday of each month.

Hours of operation are Mondays from 3 to 9 p.m.; Tuesdays to Fridays from noon to 9 p.m.; Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 7 p.m.