Upscale wine bar seeking to open in Huntley
Huntley village officials are considering an upscale wine bar concept for a strip mall off Route 47 near Sun City active adult community.
Millie's LLC is seeking to open a “boutique vineyard” wine bar with video gambling terminals in a 1,600-square-foot space at 13310 Village Green Drive, just south of Jewel-Osco.
Wine bars are popping up in the suburbs, though still not all that common, but growing in popularity.
Nearby, Village Vintner Winery & Brewery in Algonquin offers a slightly different concept producing wine and craft beers on-site, while Geneva has Gibby's Wine Den.
“Wine bars have really been proliferating in the downtown (Chicago) market, and not quite as much out here in the suburbs yet,” said Mike McGuire, a Crystal Lake businessman and real estate broker spearheading the Huntley venture.
“Wine consumption has been increasing in the United States and now the United States is the No. 1 market in the world,” he added. “It's just a trend ... an alternative to a typical bar atmosphere. We feel there's a need that really isn't being met in the market.”
McGuire is partnering with expert restaurateurs who will have joint ownership of the bar. He also is courting wine distributors who have relationships with smaller vineyards in France, Italy, Argentina and New Zealand.
“Our plan is to offer boutique wines from smaller vineyards from around the world,” McGuire said. “It's not going to be a typical wine that you can buy in a bar.”
The bar also would serve freshly baked flatbreads and desserts, offer an assortment of fine cheeses and light foods, and host wine and cheese tastings. Specialty coffees and teas, soft drinks including a variety of juices, and select beers also would be available.
McGuire hopes the bar will appeal to Sun City's senior crowd, which is why he named it Millie's — a popular name during the 1930s through 1950s.
Yet, people 65 years and older represent only 16 percent of the market. Wine consumers run the gamut: people 46 to 65 years old represent 39 percent; 34 to 45 years old represent 22 percent; and 21 to 33 years old represent 23 percent.
Millennials are more willing to spend money on wine compared to other demographics, McGuire said.
“We do feel like there are enough buyers in all age groups to appeal to everybody,” he added.
McGuire has hopes of building a second wine bar in Huntley on the north side of town if the first one takes off.
The proposal is yet to be approved by the village board, along with a liquor license which is under consideration.
“There's a lot of interest in it,” Village Manager Dave Johnson said. “It's unique and something that is not offered for our residents today.”