Today we’d like to introduce you to Tia Marie.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
UnWined was designed on a napkin 3 and a half years ago. My dream became reality and opened in June 2019. We are a small wine bar focusing on MN wine and tap beer. We have a wonderful menu of panini sandwiches, flatbreads and appetizers. I started in June with 5 employees and we had 20 by the end of June. We pride ourselves on making people feel like they are at a friend’s house. Our small wine bar won the Star and Tribune’s wine bar of the year in 2021 and again in 2022.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Covid hit in the middle of our first winter, which was also tough. We were having difficulty already paying our bills and needed a line of credit. When Covid hit, we became creative. We started wine tastings online where people came in and purchased our samples and tasted with me every Friday night online. We also did online trivia to give people something to do at home. Our community rallied around us and kept us afloat.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
As a wine bar, we focus on several wineries around the state, to give people a chance to go wine tasting around the state from one spot. We also have a menu of an amazing, house-created food. We can make anything vegan or gluten or dairy free. We added a beautiful flower-filled outside patio where we grow some of our herbs and vegetables. We have live music outside in the summer and dogs are welcome. Before I opened UnWined, I was a teacher from birth to 4th grade. For the last 9 years, I taught Early Childhood Special Education and was able to work with amazing families. I have taught in Oakland, CA and Mill Valley, CA and all over Northern MN. UnWined was my napkin dream. I am currently working on building a new business in a neighboring town. I am building a winery and cidery with a wood-fired pizza kitchen and a crafted bar. It will be called Smoke on the Water.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
My favorite memory was going caroling door to door with my mom and friends. People came out to their windows or doors to listen and we had hot chocolate with a marshmallow with a face painted on it that melted into a snowman. We would go with all of the neighborhood kids.
Pricing:
- $7-13
Contact Info:
- Website: www.unwinedupnorthmn.com
- Facebook: UnWined Up North
