Today we’d like to introduce you to Gino Desalvatore.
Hi Gino, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started at Franklin Wine and Spirits in 2011 under the previous owner where I worked part-time. I was full-time as the director of Therapeutic Foster Care, Early Intervention, and Prevention services for a mental health organization call Centerstone. I had worked in Children’s mental health for 40 years.
In 2018, the owner of the store wanted to retire. Because I worked there I knew many of the parts of the store, customers, ordering, etc…. so I said to Dave, the owner, that we would be glad to buy it from you. The rest is history.
Dave now works for me part-time so our roles just reversed themselves.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Owning a small business is never a smooth road.
Trying to ensure that you have enough products to satisfy everyone’s palate is not easy. We had to re-organize the store, get rid of items that would not sell, physically altered the store, make sure it was an inviting place for people to want to come, added new processes, new products, and new services like catering to events, weddings, etc. Really trying to expand our revenue sources. We expanded our social media presence. And having to navigate a pandemic was very challenging.
We really want to be the “Cheers” of the neighborhood: Where everyone knows your name!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I think what sets us apart from others is that we have become a more “boutique” local, community wine and spirit retail store. We are not large nor our we small, just right. We are located in the heart of the McKays Mill subdivision of Franklin, TN.
We love to taste a number of products of all types. That is the fun of the store as well as talking to folks about what they like, talking culture of the product, and helping people expand their library of wines and spirits.
What are your plans for the future?
The one thing I would love to do is to add a small “Wine Bar” to our store.
It is possible. We would have to do some physical changes but those are not too hard to overcome. People in the neighborhood said they would love to support such an idea and business. Nothing large.
Pricing:
- Case Discounts: 14% off a case of wine
- Military Discounts: 10% off for our veterans
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
