Mentor Helps Red Wine & Brew Secure Financing

Financing for a long-awaited wine bar in Mentor is in place.

Construction on Red, White & Brew at 9620 Johnnycake Ridge Road is expected begin shortly, and owners expect that more than one-third of the project's cost will be aided by a federal loan.

The Mentor Economic Assistance Corporation has filed for a U.S. Small Business Administration 504 package to help cover the cost of the wine bar's construction. Approval would allow MEACO to provide a $667,000 loan on the SBA's behalf.

Katie Moore, a manager at the original Red, White & Brew location in Chester Township said ground will be broken on the new 16,000-square-foot site this month. It should be open to the public by November.

"Now the financing is in place, the building plans have been reviewed and approved," Mentor Economic Development Director Ron Traub said. "It's very exciting to have a development to anchor the east end of city."

Co-owner Dr. Chetan Patel previously told Patch that Red, White & Brew would be the "Big Lots of wine and beer."

The business will also have a patio, tasting room and thousands of wine and beer selections.

"This will be a wine bar for the age group, 25 to 55," Patel said. "This is for people who want to have social time, light food and a glass of wine or beer (that is) affordable."