STEVENS POINT – The new Metro Market wine and beer bar is open in Stevens Point.
As shoppers enter the grocery store at 1500 Pinecrest Ave. in Stevens Point, they’ll find the bar area on the right side of the store, along the wall near the floral and gifts section.
The wine and beer bar is open daily from noon to 8 p.m., and guests can enjoy a local draft beer, hard cider, root beer or wine at the bar or throughout the store as they shop.
What’s on the menu?
White wine options include an Italian Bread and Butter Pino Grigio, an Italian Kendall Jackson Chardonnay and a New Zealand Whitehaven Sauvignon Blanc. Red wines include an American Apothic Red Blend, an American Josh Cabernet Sauvignon and a Meiomi Pino Noir from California. Metro Market also has a selection of wines exclusive to the store, including a Storyteller Cabernet, Martin’s Rake Sauvignon Blanc, Rue De Perle Provence Rosé and Ogio Prosecco. Five-ounce pours are $5.
The beer and other drinks menu features 12 options, including beers from New Glarus, Yuengling, Point, Ciderboys, Central Waters and Anheuser-Busch for between $4 and $7. The menu also includes canned cocktails with varieties available from Carbliss, High Noon and Cutwater for $5.
Non-alcoholic beverages include Point Root Beer for $3 and non-alcoholic cans of Athletic Brewing, Blue Moon and Busch for $4.
Company could expand bar space to more central Wisconsin grocery stores
Emilie Williamson, the head of communications and public affairs for the company, said the Stevens Point location is the first in the region to offer the bar space. Depending on how the Stevens Point location does, Williamson said the company will evaluate the benefits of adding the service to more local locations.
The bar held a soft opening in January, offering a select menu of wines and beers on tap, along with local snacks for shoppers to enjoy either in the bar area or while they shop. Metro Market celebrated its grand opening Jan. 31 with food and drink samples, music and an appearance by Green Bay Packer player and Hall of Famer LeRoy Butler.
Williamson said Metro Market wants to meet shoppers where they are and offer unique options to connect with people and provide a space to build community. She said the grocery store is always looking for ways to bring more services to their customers, whether it’s home delivery, samples throughout the store, or alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
A space for people to connect and build community
The bar space is meant to be a space for people to connect and build community, Williamson said. People can enjoy a wine or beer, or they can choose a non-alcoholic drink or bring their Starbucks order over and have a place to sit and connect with other people.
Employees have gone through alcohol responsibility training, as well, Williamson said. The purpose of the space is to complement the shopping experience and connect with shoppers in new and innovative ways, she said.
Charlie Kilburg, the store director, said the store has had a fair amount of interest in the bar space since its soft launch earlier in January. One Saturday, for example, a couple walked in and the wife said they should grab Starbucks before starting the shopping list. The husband responded she could get her Starbucks order, but he would go for a Spotted Cow before they started their shopping.
Kilburg said with a busy store, it’s hard to tell how many people are sipping while shopping, or if they’re opting to have a seat and relax with their drinks, but Metro Market anticipates many customers will choose to sit and relax.
For more information, visit metromarket.net.
Contact Caitlin at cshuda@usatodayco.com or follow her on Twitter @CaitlinShuda.
This article originally appeared on Stevens Point Journal: Take a look inside the wine and beer bar at Stevens Point Metro Market
Reporting by Caitlin Shuda, Stevens Point Journal / Stevens Point Journal
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