Southport Magazine

New owners make the Wine Rack the place to go!
Story by Kass Fincher
When friends Amy Stafford and Karen “KJ” Johnston talked about businesses they might want to work on together, they didn’t envision a wine shop at first. Amy was still living in Greensboro, although she and husband Eric Hoffman spent many weekends in Southport and planned to move here after their daughter Grace graduated. And KJ was retiring as an emergency room nurse, but looking for a new commitment and challenge.The “NEW” Wine Rack
New owners make the Wine Rack the place to go!
story by kass fincher
When friends Amy Stafford and Karen “KJ” Johnston talked about businesses they might want to work on together, they didn’t envision a wine shop at first. Amy was still living in Greensboro, although she and husband Eric Hoffman spent many weekends in Southport and planned to move here after their daughter Grace graduated. And KJ was retiring as an emergency room nurse, but looking for a new commitment and challenge.

Seems they both found it. After ten years, Ray Williams, owner of the popular Wine Rack on Howe Street in Southport, was ready to pass the baton to someone else to keep the business going. KJ and Amy, like many local residents, were regulars at the Wine Rack, especially on Friday nights when the shop hosted their popular wine tasting events. The two talked, researched the idea and eventually stepped up and bought the business in April this year, bringing their own creative ideas and a commitment to renovate the space and make it even more of a destination for all.
It’s certainly paid off. With their grand opening June 2, KJ and Amy definitely put their stamp on the business, introducing outstanding renovations to the space and offering events they plan for the coming months. They both say their customers’ tastes are diverse and they want to remain true to those choices, so they have kept basically the same wine and beer selections for now.
The space is a different story. KJ talks about the renovations they made. “Our vision was to make it more open, clean up the front and offer more seating,” she says. “It was actually Ray’s idea to provide the French doors to the back so people could congregate back there. We put in a privacy fence around the property and now we have seating for 30-plus people back there. We redid the patios out front, painted the exterior and interior, moved the bar and opened up the interior. It feels so much more open.”
Amy agrees. “All the contractors were local,” she relates. “They came when they said they would and helped us make our vision come about. One of the ideas was a wall inside using Annie Sloan chalk paint that created a brick facade; we’ve gotten so many compliments on it.”
The partners also acknowledge their husbands’ support and involvement in the enterprise. Eric Hoffman, a founder of the Southport Yacht Club, and Sam Johnston, the current commodore of the club, put in their own sweat equity – especially creating the welcoming environment outside that brings friends and new customers to the Wine Rack. Amy explains, “None of this would have been possible without Eric and Sam – they have been unbelievably supportive.”
The owners are moving forward with their own ideas about how to grow the business. Amy is developing partnerships with food trucks, book clubs and other community groups that will take the Wine Rack in a new direction that will encourage patronage every day of the week. They are offering a monthly calendar of events that includes book clubs, private parties, special wine tastings and art shows. The pair are also planning a series of educational opportunities, where, for example, customers can hear from experts about wine and food pairings.
Here are some of the events coming up in August and September:
Free wine tastings every Friday night, 5:30-8pm
August 1 – Ami Brown’s art show, 5:30-7:30pm
August 8 – French wine and cheese pairing with Mike Summerlin from Grapevine, 6:30-7:30 pm.
August 22 – live music with David Dixon and beer tasting with Raleigh’s Gizmo Brewing, 6-8 pm.
September 26 – Oktoberfest 6-8pm with Jen from Mutual. Beer tasting and Brats with Kraut, 6-8 pm.
It is a busy calendar, but one that will showcase the Wine Rack’s offerings as well as reach out to a community that treasures good wines and good friends.
Though both partners are involved in the day-to-day operations, Amy and KJ each have their own interests that play out well for the business. Amy is focused on building social media and community events. KJ is the personal greeter, as Amy says, “the social butterfly,” who makes everyone feel welcome. When asked what KJ would say about their philosophy, she says, “Come and drink wine in friendship.” That seems like a welcome we can all happily embrace.