Business & Tech
No Whining for Wine Store Owners as They Prepare to Shut Doors Next Month
After seven years in Laguna Niguel, the family-owned From the Vine Wine Boutique loses its lease.
is closing its door next month, but Candace Fortune and daughter Christine Hamm say their departure wasn't their choice.
"We were not allowed to extend our lease that ends in August," said Fortune, 56, who has co-owned the store with her 28-year-old daughter for seven years at 23874 Aliso Creek Road in the Aliso Village Shopping Center.
Fortune said she has heard through the grapevine that new tenant Whole Foods Market is going to have a wine bar, which could be the reason the boutique's lease wasn't renewed.
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In November, announced it had signed a lease to take over the former Tall Mouse craft store. Officials from the market said the store was originally going to open by the end of 2011. That opening was later moved to spring. To date, there have been no signs of remodeling or movement other than a in May.
In June, the for the market to remodel.
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Whole Foods could not be reached for comment.
"This is just another example of the economy and how tough it is for small businesses," Fortune said, even one that has a following of more than 1,500 customers.
"When I sent out an email blast stating we were closing our doors in August, 800 of those 1500 responded," Fortune said. "We have had a really good run and we were doing very well."
She says the closure of the wine boutique is unfortunate.
"We had a real passion for what we were doing here, and I am a faith-based person, so I'm trying to keep a stiff upper lip," Fortune said. "We are ending on a positive note, but it is still hard. It's a business decision by the landlord, I see that ... but we are sad to go."
She said she still feels there is a market for wine bars/boutiques. But don't expect her family to reopen one anytime soon.
"This was a large capital investment for us and a lot of home equity as a family to put down," Fortune said. "We can't do that again."
In the meantime, Fortune is hoping to find another job with the help of the many friends she has made over the years through the business.
"The business was our livelihood, but I am confident I will find something else," she said.
Her daughter was recently married and has a new baby, so she will be busy.
"I am a firm believer in that everything happens for a reason," Fortune said. "But it is sad when big business comes in and the little business guy goes away."
From the Vine Wine Boutique will be open the first two weekends of August. Here are the hours: Aug. 4, 5 and 6 from 4-8 p.m.; Aug. 11-13, from 4-8 p.m.
