Business & Tech
Red Wine & Brew Co-Owner Discusses Vision for Mentor Location
Construction for the wine and beer retailer and bar will begin in October or November
The construction of a business that owners describe as the "Big Lots of wine and beer" could begin as early as next month.
Residents shouldn't expect to see Red Wine & Brew open until next spring, but Dr. Chetan Patel hopes contractors will get to work in October or November. The store will be part retailer and part bar with an outdoor patio and lounge atmosphere.
The Mentor Planning Commission approved the company's request to have a tasting room and patio at a meeting last week. Red Wine & Brew also has a location in Chester Township, though it is only a retail store.
"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."
The proposed location is on Old Johnnycake Ridge Road. Though Dr. Chetan Patel and his business partner, Sam Shah, won't get to fill it until next spring, the entrepreneurs see a need in Mentor for an alternative to sports bars.
"I think I was tired of eating at sports bars," he said. "Sports bar food is not appropriate for human beings."
Instead, Patel says Red Wine & Brew will offer flatbread, cheese plates and more. As for the Big Lots comparison, Patel said he plans on carrying the largest selection of wine and beer in the state, allowing customers to buy for an evening or in bulk.
View the site plan by clicking 'PDFS' to the right
Residents at the planning commission meeting showed opposition to the patio, but the owners said they would not invite live music to the establishment to keep the noise down.
Red Wine & Brew's Chester location has been open for a few years. Though much of Patel's time is spent as a cardiologist with Lake Health, he got involved with Shah as a way to take on a new challenge.
"I'm all about bringing ideas together and designs," he said. "I have my own practice and patients, but this is challenging and it's fun."
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