Spring is officially here and what was once asleep is now awake. That is also the case with an old stone house in Vienna that was built in the 1940’s. Rappaport broker, Chris Pamboukian, represented local wine shop Vienna Vintner, to purchase the building. Vienna Vintner had been operating across the street from the stone house in the Town of Vienna for over 19 years.

“My goal was always to be owner occupied,” said Victor Mendez, Owner of Vienna Vintner. “I tried to buy this building seven years ago but good real estate is hard to find and most owners won’t sell”. Pamboukian negotiated favorable terms for his client to secure ownership of this rare opportunity.

After years leasing in a dilapidated strip mall, Vienna Vintner evolved, embraced experiential retail and renovated the historic house to allow for special events and tastings. Mendez programmed the building to create a truly unique atmosphere for selling wine. Originally constructed as a house, the building’s prior uses have been jewelry, insurance and legal services.

“They did an impressive job of maximizing 2,000 SF,” Pamboukian reflects,“Victor’s vision has dramatically upgraded the desirability and energy of the block. This new location has increased my client’s sales dramatically which is my most important goal with tenant representation.”

With the repurposed wood floors, a private event room, custom wine label debossed stairs and the largest collection of older Boudreaux in Virginia (1986-1990 vintage), Vienna Vintner is a gem in the market. Mendez is receiving accolades for rehabilitation of this historic building. In April the Town’s Business Liaison Committee presented Vienna Vintner with the 2018 Carole Wolfand Award, which recognizes the business that has exemplified community spirit and service.

Visit viennavintner.com or visit the shop at 320 Maple Ave. E to see the transition a local operator made to make an aging building their own.

Author Rappaport

More posts by Rappaport

Leave a Reply