Jul 6, 2009

Wine, gift store in downtown Bloomington plans expansionBy Bob HollidayPantagraph.com

Bloomington, IL — A. Renee, a wine and gift boutique in downtown Bloomington, will more than double in size by fall.

The 1,200-square-foot store at 306 N. Center St., which already offers gourmet foods, chocolates, candles, linens and wine glasses, will add another 1,500 square feet for a wine cafe.

“It will be a place for adults to escape,” said Amy Calhoun, co-owner, adding that the cafe will offer wine tasting as well as wine by the glass and bottle, cocktails, gourmet finger food, coffee and tea.

The cafe will be lit by candles and have a piano.

Calhoun, who opened A. Renee about 5½ years ago, believes the wine cafe will fill a niche. “There’s nothing out there like this,” she said.

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