By CHERYL ROMANO/YachatsNews
WALDPORT — For months, the two red Adirondack chairs in front of a Waldport shop teased passers-by with the promise of a wine bar “opening soon.” With her July grand opening behind her, owner Shauna Flynn is finding that her Bayside Cellars business has uncorked some pent-up demand.
“This is just what Waldport has needed,” Flynn said. “It’s been really well-received. Once people come in, they’re so surprised and happy.”
Reviews have been glowing for the business, which offers free tastings of wine and draft beer, wines by the glass, beer on tap and in cans, small food plates, charcuterie and desserts.
“We try to stay as local as possible” in the wine selections, Flynn says, with many Oregon vineyards represented in the 75 different choices available.
Customers who just want to pick up bottles of wine can do so, with prices averaging about $20. For on-site consumption there is a $10 corkage fee. Individual glasses of wine range from about $8-11, and a cooler offers dozens of different beers for $3.50 per can.
Located at the corner of Mill and Spencer Streets, just steps from the Port of Alsea, Bayside Cellars also offers live music with local favorite Steve Cook from 6-8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, plus trivia contests at 5:30 p.m. Thursdays.
Non-alcoholic beverages are always available, along with varying selections of tapas and finger foods.
A native of Vernonia, Flynn lives in Waldport, and spotted the site of her future business on one of her frequent strolls around the port.
“I saw a ‘For Rent’ sign in the window, and I thought ‘What a great location,” she said. “You have the water, people out crabbing, launching their boats, just walking around. I thought ‘What could Waldport use?’ and that’s how the business was born.”
With deep experience in the hospitality business in Oregon, Hawaii and Australia, Flynn also offers her shop as a venue for hosting and catering private parties and events. In fact, Bayside Cellars will host the Waldport Chamber of Commerce’s September gathering for members.
As she fine-tunes the business, Flynn looks ahead to special services like “grab-and-go” beverage and food options, delivery, gift baskets and gift certificates.
Inside, Bayside Cellars can accommodate 34 customers, with additional outdoor seating for up to 12. And that’s not counting the signature red Adirondack chairs.
- Bayside Cellars,1120 N.E. Mill St., Waldport. 541-669-1199. Open 2-8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays beginning Sept. 27. Go its website here
