Sequel ‘Sip in the City’ event serves win to downtown businesses, residents
Craig Slomers was hoping construction on his new wine bar, Tannin and Tonic by Porchvue Winery located on 126 North Main St., would be done in time for Saturday’s second annual Sips in the City.
“I really wanted to have my grand opening today, but this was the next best thing,” Slomers said. “Today gave me an opportunity to tell a ton people about the new bar, get to know the customers and give them opportunities to answer questions and try wines.”
And while Slomers’ new wine bar may not have been able to host customers inside, it did not stop customers from swarming outside his new soon-to-be establishment to sample some of his authentic wine.
“It’s so good,” said Shannon Douglas of Butler as she sipped on a sample of sangria. “And I’m not really into sweet stuff, but this is just so refreshing. I’m definitely going to come back here when it opens.”
Slomers’ was one of 23 businesses that took part in downtown Butler’s second annual Sip in the City on Saturday, May 4. Nearly 400 adults participated in the event that allowed them to sample alcoholic beverages from 18 wineries, breweries and distilleries set up at businesses along or near Butler’s Main Street.
Audrianna Bly, president of Butler Downtown, said the event seemed to again be a hit among the residents and local business owners.
“We were worried about the weather,” Bly said. “But we have been so lucky, and everyone really seem to be enjoying themselves.”
Attendees were provided with small totes, a wine glass and a map indicating which shops were hosting.
“This helps with awareness for Butler Downtown,” she said. “The attendees have to go into the shops, they get to see what’s in there and have the chance to purchase something from them.”
The setup was mostly unchanged from last year’s, Bly said, other than a few new vendors and allowing for more people to participate.
Among the newcomers were self-proclaimed wine and beer enthusiast Jim and Debi O’Donell, of Butler, who said they were excited to attend to this year event after hearing how popular it had been the previous year.
“Last year we thought this would be something that we would really enjoy,” Debi O’Donell said. “And then we saw it in the paper and said ‘lets go do it this year.’”
Jen Osborne, co-owner of Your Parents Basement — an ’80s themed tabletop gaming and craft venue — said events such as Sips in the City help attract small businesses to downtown.
“The chamber (of commerce) and Downtown Butler have done a wonderful job of trying to bring businesses together and do things to help revitalize the area and give people a reason to put their businesses downtown,” Osborne said.
Osborne admitted that though the Saturday event was not going to yield immediate financial windfalls, she and her partners were eager to take part to promote their local community.
“Nobody’s coming into Sips in the City and staying for two hours to play games, we know that.” she said. “The exposure is great, and a lot of these people are familiar faces that we’re seeing, but at the end it’s about contributing to our community.”
And while Sips in the City was centered on local businesses and residents, it didn’t stop people from across state lines from joining in the adult-themed fun.
Lexie Humes, of Butler, said she had such a good time attending Sips in the City last year she brought her friend Amanda Owens from Canton, Ohio, to partake in the festivities.
“This reminds me of Canton,” said Owens. “It’s just more friendly and a lot less formal.”
Armed with adjustable wine glass lanyards around their necks, the two said they we enjoying sampling the different wines and spirits.
“I tend to like the sweeter wines,” Owens said.
Adrian DeSantis and Madeline Miller, owners of Grows on Main — an exotic plant store and event venue — said this year’s event brought their store “quite a bit more foot traffic” compared to the year before.
“I was here last year and it was busy, but obviously this year is quite a bit busier” DeSantis said, pointing to the massive line of people wrapped around the store. “Downtown is really starting to come back.”
Miller said she believes events like Sips in the City help residents familiarize themselves with the local bushiness in the area they may not be familiar with.
“You wouldn’t believe how many people live in town and then say ‘I don’t ever walk on Main Street, had no idea this was going on,’” she said. “So lets keep doing this, this is good for us.”
