Jan 28, 2009

Elk Creek Vineyard and Kentucky Proud Products to be Showcased in New Downtown Location

Lexington, KY – Elk Creek Vineyards, Kentucky’s largest winery, will launch The Kentucky Proud Market in the Lexington Center it was announced today by Elk Creek Vineyards proprietor Curtis Sigretto and Bill Owen, Lexington Center President and CEO.

The new showroom, formerly occupied by Orvis – The Outdoor Store, will be an Elk Creek Vineyard venture with the endorsement of the Kentucky Department of Agriculture. The Kentucky Proud Market will feature the entire selection of award-winning Elk Creek wines, Jean Farris and other Kentucky wines and a large variety of Kentucky Proud products, including meats, cheeses, sauces, spices, crafts and Kentucky Crafted merchandise.

According to Curtis Sigretto, Founder of Elk Creek Vineyard, “The Shops at Lexington Center is an ideal place to showcase Kentucky’s premier winery and serve as headquarters for Kentucky Proud products. We want to encourage people to stop by for tasting events, meet the producers firsthand and discover the incredible selection of fine products produced right here in Kentucky.”

“With over 1 million visitors – local residents, in-state and out of state tourists alike — coming to Lexington Center on an annual basis for UK Games and other sporting events, concerts, family shows, conferences and conventions what better venue to become the “go to” place for signature Kentucky items,” added Bill Owen.

The Kentucky Proud Market will encompass both The Shops retail location and ecommerce. Sigretto envisions The Shops store will be a prototype for many more similar stores to open across the Commonweath in major malls and airports. The e-commerce site will be set up to sell products and to offer special baskets of Kentucky Proud items to ship across the country.

According to Richie Farmer, Department of Agriculture Secretary, “I am excited to announce the opening of this new venue for the promotion of Kentucky Proud and Kentucky Crafted products in the Commonwealth. We know that Kentucky is a state with a wealth of products to share with the rest of the country and we hope that this project will be another step in sharing our wealth and pride with visitors to the Commonwealth.”

Curtis Sigretto, owner of Elk Creek Vineyards, brings to this project a 20 year history in the world of retail. He is the creator and franchiser of Halloween Express, a seasonal storefront business which currently boasts 165 stores in 40 states.

The new Kentucky Proud Market showroom will open in late February and will be located on the second level of The Shops at Lexington Center. The Shops features a collection of upscale, locally owned and operated boutiques, fine gift and specialty shops and food court in a relaxed, comfortable setting. Hours of operation are 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Monday – Saturday. Sunday hours vary. Three hours free parking with merchant validation.

For information, call (502) 484-0005, www.elkcreekvineyards.com or, (859) 233-4567, www.lexingtoncenter.com