After much ado, ‘Elevated’ opens in Longfellow

Striving to bring expertise as well as a wide variety of product to their business, Tom Bohland and Ryan Widuch opened Elevated Beer, Wine and Spirits, 4135 Hiawatha Avenue, in November 2012. (Photo by Jan Willms)

By JAN WILLMS

Walk into Elevated Beer, Wine and Spirits at 4135 Hiawatha, and the first thing you notice is the open space and bright, airy look of the liquor store.

“Our craft beer section is like a store within a store,” said co-owner Ryan Widuch.

“Our six-packs of beer are organized regionally,” added co-owner Tom Boland.

“We have basically dedicated 15 to 17 windows of our cooler section to craft beer and imports,” Widuch said

Also in the beer section are a variety of bombers, beers sold in 22-ounce bottles. The store features both imports and local bombers. “Some brewers sell their beer in these bottles exclusively,” Widuch said.

Seasonal beers, organized by styles, can be mixed and matched to form a six-pack. “We have one of the biggest mix and match selections in the state,” Widuch said.

In one part of the store, much like library staff selects their favorite books, the staff members at Elevated Beer, Wine and Spirits have selected their favorite beers to suggest to customers.

“We have a lot of beer geeks on staff,” Boland said. “This is kind of a fun way for them to show their interest in the product.”

The Beer Cave is a walk-in cooler of domestic, imported and craft beers sold in bulk. “People can walk in and help themselves, and grab whatever they want,” Widuch stated.

He said that one of the highlights of the store’s wine selections is the boxed wine.

“Attitudes about boxed wine are really changing,” Boland explained. “The boxed wine has great value and there is an environmental element, as well. And they cost less to transport.”

Widuch said the store offers a global wine selection, organized by region.

“Depending on the time of year, we will put holiday wines on display, sometimes with recipes,” he said. “It’s a fun way for us to make a suggestion.”

“We handpicked all our wine with the help of a local sommelier,” Boland said. We have an interesting, diverse selection, some different things people have not seen before. We continue to work with the sommelier.”

Along the wall in the back, the Spirit Wall, are cordials, whiskey and spirits.

“There’s a little bit of focus on North American whiskeys,” Boland claimed. “We have two sections dedicated to North American whiskeys, which have a more unique flavor.”

A tasting room for wine, spirits and local craft beers is available, and tastings are frequently scheduled.

“We get crafters in here, and customers can get information about the beers direct from the source,” Boland said.

Striving to bring expertise as well as a wide variety of product to their business, the two opened their liquor store in November 2012.

“We want people to stop in here, hang out and not feel the need to rush,” Widuch said. “We want them to get some expertise as well as a good product.”

Initially, there had been some concerns expressed by a day care center two doors down about a liquor store moving so close and sharing the same parking lot. The possibility of increased traffic in the area was also raised.

An ordinance prevented a liquor store from operating within 300 feet of a church or school, although that ruling did not pertain to a daycare. Nonetheless, an anonymous flyer was sent around the neighborhood alerting residents of a hearing to be held regarding these issues. But those concerns seem to have diminished.

“Our relationship with the daycare is great,” Boland said.

“We’re working together with the daycare center,” Widuch added. “The owner has my cell phone number. We have an open line of connection with him; there are no barriers there. We have a good connection with all the businesses.”

The store, right off Hiawatha, offers 20 parking spots. Including the owners, the store has a full-time staff of two and a part-time staff of nine.

“There are a lot of awesome things happening on Hiawatha,” Widuch said. “There are condos and apartments going up, and the 38th Street Station. A lot of businesses are opening up every day.”

Boland said that Ward 9 council member Sandy Colvin Roy had been telling them about the change coming to the traffic lights along Hiawatha. “The neighborhood is transforming,” he said.