Brian Hobbs, the former general manager at Bar Les Frères, has opened a new wine shop and wine bar in Maplewood at 7326 Manchester.
Chateau Maplewood is open to foot traffic but will celebrate its grand opening the first week of May, Hobbs told St. Louis Magazine. The shop is first and foremost a wine store, but it also doubles as a wine bar. Eventually it will be open for larger events.
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The opening marks a milestone for Hobbs, who has worked the past two years to get his wine shop off the ground. “The foot traffic and the fact that everything is independent and historic in Maplewood is why I wanted to be here. When I saw the space, I knew it was for me,” Hobbs said.
Chateau Maplewood will have a rotating selection of about 250 wines, spirits, and beer. Bottles of wine will go for $8 to $15, a price range that Hobbs purposely kept low. “We’re going for balance at reasonable price points,” he said.
A bar on the right side of the shop will serve drinks as well as a small menu with cheese, charcuterie, and light salads. Hobbs plans to expand the food menu in May, but he doesn’t want to compete with local restaurants.
“We want to be the place you come before or after dinner, where you have a quick glass of wine, a bite to eat, or buy a bottle before you go home,” Hobbs said.
Shelves made from maple wood on the left side of the shop showcase the wine. Hobbs’s wife had the idea for Murphy bed–style tasting tables so the furniture folds up in the wall, allowing for more room and additional furniture.
Hobbs would like Chateau Maplewood to host larger events in the future. Communal tables in the center space could accommodate a 10- to 20-person event, such as a bachelorette party or dinner parties.
Although wine shopping and tasting can be intimidating experiences for some, Hobbs aims to take the guesswork and anxiety out of this process at Chateau Maplewood.
“We want to be fun and thoughtful with our selections. Whether people are coming in for a drink or snack, shopping, or events, we want the wine to speak for itself,” Hobbs said.
