Store Renovations, Phase 1, Complete! A note from Jerome

Scroll to the bottom for pictures. This week, The Spirited Gourmet took on the biggest project of our new chapter. By mid-week, we had completed the work and I couldn’t be prouder of the team and excited for you, our guests!

Before the summer began, the team and I started discussions about a complete overhaul of the store layout, which had remained largely unchanged since it opened in 2008. The discussion took many weeks, sometimes in hums-and-hahs, sometimes over an end-of-tasting glass, but most often with the team asking “what if?” 

This felt oddly familiar. So many late nights with colleagues were spent asking “what if” during my tech career in supply chain. It’s where the best ideas came from, where the team came together and where challenges were identified and overcome. It’s similar to when Keanu Reeve’s character, Neo, finally sees the Matrix in the movie.

The challenges with the current layout were many - too cramped, scattered, too little storage, aging. How could we make changes, keeping the best interests of our guests in mind, without an extensive shut down as we closed in on our busy season? We had to be scrappy, we had to dive deep, and we had to act now. We had three goals - increase open space and flexibility, improve our shopping experience, and reuse existing assets.

The result was a slightly-more than half-baked plan that involved creating separate “food” and “beverage” sections within the store. We would move our expanding spirits and NA categories closer to our fantastic wine section, to make it easier for you to shop both. Separately, we consolidated all foods into a new easy-to-browse area. Close to our chilled wine and beer selection, you can now get in-and-out of the shop quickly with everything they need for a party or dinner. Finally, we made it far less stressful for you to order an amazing sandwich, sample some new cheese, and grab a cold drink and chips.

With a plan in hand, the team went to work. It took a week. The first five days, a team of our associates thinned out shelves, stored inventory, and prepared for the big move. Then, we closed the shop for two days as we disassembled, modified, moved, and reassembled shelves. We scrubbed floors and dusted racks that hadn’t been touched in decades and then relabeled, re-merchandised, and restocked the shelves. All while a team of professional trades people ran new electrical, installed new coolers and brand new air conditioning and heating, and helped with finish trim and carpentry work.

This morning, we re-opened for business. The expressions from our first few regulars coming in were priceless. Our team amped up and ready to help them and the thousands more that will stop in over our busiest time of year. We love the changes and hope that you will too!

On behalf of the entire The Spirited Gourmet staff, we welcome you in to see what’s changed!

Warmly,

Jerome