Courtesy Pace Properties
Nothing says summer like sipping a glass of wine on the back porch while enjoying some light snacks and music. Easy livin' gets no better.
When Jay Delsing and Karen Paslawski conceived of opening a wine bar more than a year ago, similar visions drifted in and out of their heads. When Blacksmith Grove, an out-of-the-box new development in Town & Country, started taking shape, so did their dream.
“When we saw this beautiful, rustic building going up and then discovered that it opened onto a lake and a park in back, we looked at each other and said, 'This just might be the place,'" says Paslawski.
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Courtesy Pace Properties
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Courtesy Pace Properties
When they met with developer Bob Brinkmann and learned that his plans also called for an amphitheater on the 7-acre space (located behind the Straub’s location in Town & Country), the discussions became serious. And when the couple heard that the owners of The Block and 58hundred were considering building a new restaurant in the larger, adjacent space (a project that materialized last week), they inked a deal with Pace Properties and raised a glass.
“Those guys are respected operators,” Delsing says, referring to chef-owners Marc Del Pietro and Brian Doherty and their wives, Amy Del Pietro and Lea Doherty. “Karen and I knew our two businesses would feed off each other.”
Courtesy Pace Properties
Courtesy Pace Properties
Blacksmith Grove features 13-foot high wood ceilings, windows that span the front and back of the space, and rustic touches throughout. The use of barnwood conveniently played into Wild Crush's tagline: "Wild Crush Wine Bar(n)."
The building-long patio across the back of the building leads to a lakeside park, equipped with walkways, a fountain, gardens, and a pavilion. Delsing says the space lends itself to farmers' markets, live music, fireworks displays—even a Christmas tree lot.
Wild Crush will offer a rotating selection of 24 wines (12 reds, 12 whites) in full and half-glass pours—as well as tastes—utilizing a self-service dispensing system activated by pre-loaded swipe cards. Staffers will be on hand to answer questions, as well as to serve a selection of 12–18 premium liquors, canned and bottled beers, seasonal frozen slushes, “crushsicles”, and nonalcoholic options.
The food offerings are charcuterie-style sharables, including cheeses, meats, nuts, olives, raw veggies, and seasonal fruits, as well as warm bread, hummus, and assorted dips. Tentative hours are 4–10 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 4–11 p.m. Friday, noon–11 p.m. Saturday, and noon–8 p.m. Sunday. Self-pour wine and charcuterie will be discounted during happy hour.
The names Delsing and Paslawski might sound familiar to some St. Louisans. Jay’s father, Jim Delsing, was an outfielder for several major-league baseball teams, including the St. Louis Browns in the early '50s. After playing college golf at UCLA, Jay became a professional golfer and competed in 565 career PGA Tour starts. Karen, a commercial interior designer by trade, was married to Greg Paslawski, who played six years for the Blues, including in 1985–86 (and played a major role in the Blues' upset victory against Calgary, better known as the Monday Night Miracle).
Courtesy Jay Delsing
Jay Delsing, flanked by Lexie and Karen Paslawski
Karen is designing the space, outfitting it with lodge-like touches, such as rough-hewn wood and rustic art. Her daughter, Lexie, who has nine years of hospitality experience in the United States and Canada, will assist with event planning. And Jay, who’s long imagined owning a restaurant or a bar, can now experience a little of each.
“Wild Crush will have great wine, a great vibe, plenty of snacks, and a huge backyard,” he says. "And by summertime, people will definitely be ready to get out and socialize again. It's hard not to get excited about all that."
The opening date is slated for July 1, just in time for fireworks.
