Revolutionizing Wine Shopping in Charlottesville: The Shift towards Affordable Wines Chris Lehoux, February 12, 2024 Week in Review Benny Deluca’s pizzeria, renowned as the “home of the Virginia slice,” has bid goodbye to its location on Charlottesville’s West Main Street. Set to fill this space is the newly established Grape & Grain Exchange, a diverse wine and beer shop. Opening its doors on Feb. 1 is this new shop located at 913 W. Main St. The shop does not only limit its offerings to a wide selection of wines and beers. It also varies its inventory with more options like seltzers and energy drinks. It aims to cater to its diverse clientele, including the students of the University of Virginia and hospital workers passing by. Benny Deluca’s had been the go-to eatery at the West Main space since 2014. However, they closed their doors in July 2023. No plans have been announced about reopening in another location within the city. Also, their official website no longer lists Charlottesville under its list of Virginia locations. There is no scarcity of wine shops in Charlottesville. You will find Bottle House just a third of a mile down the road from Grape & Grain; not much further along, Feast at Main Street Market boasts a notable wine assortment; further still down the street, there’s Crush Pad Wines, Market Street Wines, and Tastings of Charlottesville situated on or just off the Downtown Mall. A passerby is seen strolling past Grape & Grain Exchange, a business specializing in wines and beers on West Main Street in Charlottesville, on the afternoon of Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024. Nonetheless, Dru Patel, the owner of Grape & Grain, co-runs his business with his brother and partner, Nick, and they profess that their establishment offers something unique. The Patel brothers recount being inspired by their travels to Europe, having visited countless wine shops in various countries. They came back to the States, fuelled by a quest to introduce the small, affordable wine shop notion to the city of Charlottesville. With the Benny Deluca’s space on the market, the brothers took their chance and transformed the 1,400-square-foot space into their vision. The resemblance to any other wine shop in the city is apparent, but where Grape & Grain sets itself apart is in its affordability. Wines are attractively displayed at Grape & Grain Exchange, a unique wine and beer shop located on West Main Street in Charlottesville, as seen on Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024. “We’re challenging the prevailing notion that good wine must come with a high price tag,” Dru Patel shared with The Daily Progress. ”Every wine bottle in our store is priced below $20, yet they are all from brands that our customers will recognize and trust.” The Patel brothers have long seen the business potential of West Main in Charlottesville, situated near downtown, Grounds, the Corner, and UVa Medical Center. Their entrepreneurial spirit was inherited from their father, Vasu Patel, who operates the Mini Mart convenience store not far from their own establishment, Grape & Grain. Since immigrating from Kenya more than two decades ago, Vasu Patel has been involved in retail. His dedication and business acumen have laid the foundation for the family’s small yet successful retail empire in Charlottesville, which includes the Mini Mart, Grape & Grain, and the 9th Street Market convenience store. The latter, located behind Guadalajara Mexican Restaurant downtown, came into operation roughly six months ago under the stewardship of the Patel brothers. Not ones to rest on their laurels, the Patel brothers were contemplating further expansion shortly after the inauguration of Grape & Grain. Dru Patel, part owner of Grape & Grain Exchange, was spotted in his Charlottesville wine and beer shop on Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024. “We are focused on seeing how this goes, but it’s also our stepping stone,” said Dru Patel, referring to the wine shop. “We are looking to branch out by the end of the year with hopefully another location with more space.” Grape & Grain is open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. To keep up to date on new arrivals, events and promotions, customers can visit the Grape & Grain Instagram: cvillegrapeandgrain. The interior of Grape & Grain Exchange, a wine and beer shop on West Main Street in Charlottesville, is seen on Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024. Emily Hemphill (540) 855-0362 ehemphill@dailyprogress.com @EmilyHemphill06 on Twitter Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Week in Review About the Author: Chris Lehoux Meet Chris Lehoux, an experienced wine connoisseur and dedicated blogger with a deep passion for all things wine-related. With years of expertise in the industry, Chris shares insightful wine reviews, valuable wine tasting tips, expert pairing advice, and captivating tales of vineyard visits. Join Chris on a journey through the world of wine, where every sip is an adventure waiting to be savored! Wine