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ENLARGE
Kim Lamb/LVN photo
Red Zinnia employee, Sarah Henderson, stands near a sampling of products available at the establishment.
Despite a difficult economic climate, the Red Zinnia book and wine boutique has aged well and is celebrating its first anniversary.
Owner Susan Henderson established Red Zinnia after the gift shop at her other business, Flower Tree Nursery, was filled to capacity.
“When we put in the gift shop at Flower Tree, I saw the need for more. The wine shop at Flower Tree did well, but we were limited on space and we didn't have room for books,” Henderson said.
Henderson sat on her idea for a separate wine and book store, waiting for the right location. Slanted Porch restaurant owners Peggy and Steve Hernandez approached her with the idea of opening her store in a building adjacent to the restaurant and Henderson jumped at the chance. Originally a horse barn dating from the 1920s, the shop was renovated from top to bottom before Red Zinnia poured its first glass of wine.
“When we went and looked at it, the building was pretty much trashed at the time,” Henderson said. “We were able to configure what would be perfect for us — we took out some walls, the kitchen and bathroom and made a cohesive entrance. It felt right from the beginning.”
When the shop opened last year it carried 90 varieties of wine but has expanded to carry more than 200. Henderson said the goal is to feature boutique wines from smaller and eclectic winemakers.
“We don't keep a lot of one vintage, but we keep bringing in new varieties,” Henderson said.
Jaime Sammons acts as the shop's sommelier — or wine expert — and hosts wine tastings at Red Zinnia Friday and Saturday evenings. Henderson said the weekly wine tasting events, which cost $5, offer an upscale environment to which local residents have responded well.
“I think it's gone over so well because it's a very comfortable and safe environment for women to come to,” Henderson said.
She noted the synergy between Red Zinnia and the Slanted Porch and that both businesses draw customers from each other. The restaurant also prepares a special appetizer menu to pair with the weekly wine tastings. Red Zinnia has also begun offering private wine tastings for small groups.
The companion book store and gift shop offers unique items like journals, inspirational gifts, vintage looking jewelry, purses, candles and lotions. Henderson said people may not realize the store — which carries many children's books and cook books – can also research available books and place special orders for customers.
The shop celebrated its one-year anniversary this weekend with a drawing for a $100 gift certificate and will host an open house Nov. 20-21.
Red Zinnia, located at 318 S. Taylor St., is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., with weekly wine tastings on Friday and Saturday evenings from 5 p.m. to about 8 p.m. For information, call 423-1114.
Owner Susan Henderson established Red Zinnia after the gift shop at her other business, Flower Tree Nursery, was filled to capacity.
“When we put in the gift shop at Flower Tree, I saw the need for more. The wine shop at Flower Tree did well, but we were limited on space and we didn't have room for books,” Henderson said.
Henderson sat on her idea for a separate wine and book store, waiting for the right location. Slanted Porch restaurant owners Peggy and Steve Hernandez approached her with the idea of opening her store in a building adjacent to the restaurant and Henderson jumped at the chance. Originally a horse barn dating from the 1920s, the shop was renovated from top to bottom before Red Zinnia poured its first glass of wine.
“When we went and looked at it, the building was pretty much trashed at the time,” Henderson said. “We were able to configure what would be perfect for us — we took out some walls, the kitchen and bathroom and made a cohesive entrance. It felt right from the beginning.”
When the shop opened last year it carried 90 varieties of wine but has expanded to carry more than 200. Henderson said the goal is to feature boutique wines from smaller and eclectic winemakers.
“We don't keep a lot of one vintage, but we keep bringing in new varieties,” Henderson said.
Jaime Sammons acts as the shop's sommelier — or wine expert — and hosts wine tastings at Red Zinnia Friday and Saturday evenings. Henderson said the weekly wine tasting events, which cost $5, offer an upscale environment to which local residents have responded well.
“I think it's gone over so well because it's a very comfortable and safe environment for women to come to,” Henderson said.
She noted the synergy between Red Zinnia and the Slanted Porch and that both businesses draw customers from each other. The restaurant also prepares a special appetizer menu to pair with the weekly wine tastings. Red Zinnia has also begun offering private wine tastings for small groups.
The companion book store and gift shop offers unique items like journals, inspirational gifts, vintage looking jewelry, purses, candles and lotions. Henderson said people may not realize the store — which carries many children's books and cook books – can also research available books and place special orders for customers.
The shop celebrated its one-year anniversary this weekend with a drawing for a $100 gift certificate and will host an open house Nov. 20-21.
Red Zinnia, located at 318 S. Taylor St., is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., with weekly wine tastings on Friday and Saturday evenings from 5 p.m. to about 8 p.m. For information, call 423-1114.
