The new business will offer retail wine, wines by the glass, beer, cocktails, and a special focus on bourbons, according to co-owner Monica Nenni.
“We will also offer light food options that complement wine such as meat and cheese boards, homemade hummus, daily sandwiches and pasta salads,” Nenni said. “West Central Wine also will host wine tastings and special events, perfect for bridal showers, birthday parties or just getting together with friends in a comfortable atmosphere.”
Nenni and co-owner Melissa Kutzera said they are quite familiar with the area.
“I was born and raised in Middletown, moved away after college at Miami Oxford and lived in Cincinnati’s Over-the-Rhine neighborhood for four years prior to moving back to Middletown in March,” Nenni told the Journal-News. “Melissa was born here but spent much of her childhood in Virginia before moving back to Middletown and has been a resident of Madison Twp. for the last 15 years.”
Kutzera worked in and around downtown Middletown in that time, most recently for a wine shop in both Springboro and West Chester Twp. before joining Nenni at West Central Wine.
“Going into this, Mel and I were always on the same page when it came to the experience of entertaining,” Nenni said. “We both come from large families that taught us the value of getting together to share food and drink. We hope to be able to share that experience with the community and become a place where people come, not just for the food and drink but the feeling of being at home with friends.”
They decided to locate the West Central Wine in downtown Middletown because they “saw an opportunity to contribute to the revitalization of our hometown.”
“We’re part of a growing community of small business owners and can’t wait to see the neighborhood grow up around us,” she said. “Downtown Middletown is coming to life again, with residential opportunities, retail, restaurants, coffee shops, educational institutions and more. Why not?”
The wine bar joins a growing number of entrepreneurs renovating space to open in downtown Middletown's Central Avenue, including new restaurant Piazza Bistro at 1126 Central Ave., wellness and yoga business Haven Studio Middletown at 1131 Central Ave. and craft distillery Liberty Spirits at 1378 Central Ave.
For more information about West Central Wine, visit www.westcentralwine.com or call 513-594-1036.
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