ST. CHARLES – The latest business to open in downtown's First Street redevelopment project aims to give adults a classy, grown-up place to enjoy a glass of wine.
Advertised as St. Charles' first true wine bar, Brix Wine & Cheese offers a menu that owner and founder Adria Williams described as Euro style. It includes chocolates, charcuterie, and domestic and international cheeses. Wine is sold by the glass and by the bottle.
"Everything complements each other," Williams said.
Williams opened the original Brix Wine & Cheese nearly four years ago in Quincy. She said she decided to open a second store in St. Charles after she and her husband moved here.
"We chose St. Charles because it has the most charm and is exactly what the business needed to thrive – low crime, great schools," she said.
Williams began scouting for locations after her September 2009 move. She said she decided upon 21 S. First St. for its parking and because it appears to be the city's next hot spot.
"It's up and coming," she said. "It's classy."
Though only open since June, Williams said the wine bar already has regular customers. She hopes it is a place where people can relax with their friends and spouse or read a book, she said.
Plans for Brix Wine & Cheese include offering wine classes, wine tasting events and football game viewings on a 3-D TV, Williams said, noting she will buy more 3-D glasses if the turnout is good.
Brix Wine & Cheese, whose name comes from the measurement of sugar in grapes before they are harvested for wine production, also welcomes private parties.
It has a Class C1 liquor license from the city.
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