Van Zandt store's eclectic flavor uncorked

PERSONALITY IN A BOTTLE: Everybody's Store beverage specialist Sandy Korneman (left) and owner Jeff Margolis present a wine worthy of its historic label. Mount Baker vineyards had bottled its special blend Matchelli and barrel-select Chardonnay in honor of the store's 30th anniversary. A close-up photo of the label is shown at below right.

 

 

 

 

PETE KENDALL HERALD PHOTOS

 

 

 

 

 

BUSINESS: Owners of Everybody's Store roll out their own label of wine.
Barbara Tesnow, For the Bellingham Herald

 

 

 

 

 

 

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VAN ZANDT -- For more than 30 years, the owners of Everybody's Store ave been expanding their unique array of gift items from around the world and rich assortment of local artistry, produce and specialty food products. Last month, owners Jeff and Amy Margolis, in cooperation with Mount Baker Vineyards, introduced two new table wines, one red and one white, with an "Everybody's Store" label. "We thought this would be a good way to not only promote the store, but promote the area," Jeff Margolis said. "It helps give identity to the Mount Baker area."

The pair said they got the idea from a local builder who commissioned the vineyard to produce bottles of wine with his business name to give to clients upon completion of the work. They said working with local vineyards to produce wines for a business wishing to put their own label on the bottles is fairly common. And for Jeff and Amy Margolis, the timing of the project was ideal. The unveiling of these new wines coincides with the store's 30th anniversary.

Some of the bottles display a commemorative 30th anniversary red and gold metallic sticker and all feature a picture of the signature watercolor painting of the store done by Whatcom County landscape artist Bill Salas in 1995. "Both wines are very smooth and very drinkable," Amy Margolis said. "The white is a barrel-select Chardonnay. It's very nice." "The red is a secret, mysterious blend of fine red grapes," Jeff said. "You can't go to the supermarket and find this blend on the shelf." The business owners sampled a variety of wines produced by Mount Baker Vineyards before making their final choice. They said it was hard work, but the result was worth it. According to them, the wine had to satisfy two specifications: taste and affordability. "We made our choice in terms of what we thought was most pleasing overall and would compliment what we do here," Jeff Margolis said.

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Everybody's Store is located on the wide curve of Highway 9 in Van Zandt. Hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Or visit the store's Web site at www.everybodys.com. "We are known basically for our meat and cheese. These are excellent beverages to compliment those items," he added. Patrons can purchase a bottle at the store for $12.99. The owners promote wine sales by giving a 15 percent discount when customers purchase three bottles of any wine in the store.

According to Margolis, the wine is one of the few items the store sells which cannot be shipped, because of certain restrictions. However, Everybody's Store is not the only place the wine is available. Seven Loaves Restaurant on Mount Baker Highway in Glacier has had the Everybody's Store wine on the menu since it was introduced last month. "It sells pretty well. We use it as our house table wine," said Mike Lane, co-owner of the restaurant. "Most everything we serve is from the area, so it fits in pretty well." Everybody's Store wine also can be purchased at the Community Food Co-op in Bellingham.

Reach Dean Kahn, Hometown editor, at dkahn@bellingh. gannett.com or 715-2264.