LONDONDERRY — Bella Vino owner Paula Doucette said her business has outgrown the space it has occupied for two and a half years at 2 Young Road.
"It was the perfect little wine cellar," Doucette said of the 500-square-foot space in the lower level of the building that also houses the Tupelo Music Hall.
Doucette said she is looking forward to reopening the shop at 4 Cobbetts Pond Road in Windham, a space with three times as much room. The store should open in its new location March 18.
"We actually had the ceiling painted black so it would have the same feel as the old cellar," Doucette said. "But it won't have the wonderful brick walls."
However, it will offer customers an assortment of artisanal cheeses and fresh baked bread. It also will have the Made in New Hampshire section familiar to customers of the Londonderry location.
Bella Vino offered wine tastings each Thursday and that will continue in Windham, Doucette said.
Some customers bought a bottle of wine to enjoy during a show at the Tupelo.
"But that was a small percentage of our business," Doucette said. "I'm looking forward to more walk-in business."
In the Cobbetts Pond Plaza, Bella Vino will share space with a convenience store, several restaurants, a salon and more. There will be a last wine tasting on March 11 from 4:30 to 7 p.m. at the Londonderry location.
But Tupelo concert-goers will still be able to pick out a bottle of wine before the show.
Joan Tognacci plans to open The Drinkery in Bella Vino's former space the weekend of March 19, if her liquor license is approved by then.
'I am expanding the selection from what Bella Vino had to also include beer and gourmet food items, along with wine," Tognacci said. "I am going to specialize in local and specialty brews. We will also have a great selection of wine in a wide price range."
Tognacci said she plans to stock many locally made food items, along with some cheeses and snack items for Tupelo patrons.
Tognacci said the shop will be open from 5 or 6 to 9 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays, and on Sundays when there is a show at the Tupelo.
"Paula from Bella Vino has been indispensable as far as helping me get started," Tognacci said. "I hope that she has great success in her new location."
