Flint, Michigan recently opened a new farmers market downtown. The number of vendors is at least double the old farmers market that was located just outside the downtown area. The Woodberry Wine connection to this is our very good customer, D’Vine Wines. Owner, Maria Carlin, has been an active customer for over 8 years. She and her husband, Robert, have a farm sell produce at the Flint Farmers Market during the summer months.
A few years ago the MLCC encouraged Michigan farm markets around the state to seek licenses for a shop to feature local wines, primarily Michigan wines. Maria took the opportunity and opened D’Vine Wine.
In addition to a wide selection of Michigan wines, Maria features wine from every major wine region of the world. D’Vine Wines has a great selection of Italian, French, Spanish and even New World Wines from the Woodberry Wine portfolio. Maria has become a great representative of our wines in the Flint area and her business requires weekly visits from me, Woodberry Wine sales partner, as well as weekly delivery from Woodberry, to keep up with her growing customer base.
I wonder how many farm markets around the state of Michigan could use a wine shop similar in concept to D’Vine Wine? The hours are limited at the Flint Farmers Market. They are open Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, but I know the economics of customer demand vs expenses seems to be working for Maria. Can this concept work in other communities? I think so!
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