Prominent New York Shop Verve Wine to Open Its First Ever Bar in Chicago

Prominent New York wine shop Verve Wine is progressing with plans to open its first location with both retail space and a wine bar in a $350 million Lincoln Park development, a Lincoln Common rep confirmed. The wine company, which applied for liquor and outdoor patio licenses this month, has not responded to requests for more information. Ownership told RE Journal that they plan to open in spring 2020.

The 4,000-square-foot retail space and bar will offer classes, tastings, and weekly opportunities to meet and talk with sommeliers. Ownership likely hope to lure shoppers from the development’s new Chicago-based jeans store Dearborn Denim and forthcoming “integrative” pharmacy Pharmaca. Lincoln Common is also now home to a cafe from Bay area cult coffee company Philz Coffee and a restaurant from Tex-Mex chain Velvet Taco.

Co-owner Dustin Wilson (Eleven Madison Park), master sommelier and star of 2012 documentary Somm, and business partner Derrick Mize currently run the original Verve Wine shop in New York as well as a second spot in San Francisco in addition to their wine club, “the Grand Tour.” When the California store debuted in 2018, Wilson paid special attention to small producers and stocked around 500 labels. He founded the business in 2016 hoping to educate drinkers and highlight interesting wines at a range of prices.

RE Journals announced news of Verve Wine’s Chicago plans in August. Stay tuned for updates as the project progresses.

Verve Wine, 2349 N. Lincoln Avenue, Scheduled to open in spring 2020.