LoDo’s Oldest Bottle Shop Is Closing After Nearly Thirty Years

With construction continuing on the 16th Street Mall and vacancy rates still high downtown, one longtime business is preparing to say goodbye.

Tucked in an alley not far from Union Station, Wines Off Wynkoop opened in 1997 and has long been a go-to for its laid-back, welcoming atmosphere and solid selection of wines, spirits and craft beers. But this spot known for its frequent in-store tastings on Fridays and surprisingly affordable prices (particularly considering its location) will soon shut its doors for good.

On January 24, owners Jonathan and Lisa Gelaude posted an announcement on Instagram: “Family, friends, customers and neighbors, we first and foremost want to thank you for your support these past 27+ years. We wouldn’t have made it this long without you! We’ve made many friends and acquaintances through the years, and have many fond memories and gathered some crazy stories over the years, that’s for sure! And because of all these connections with all of you, it makes our hearts even heavier in telling you that Wines Off Wynkoop will be closing at the end of February 2025.â “

The shop’s final day has not been announced, but the Gelaudes have put the inventory on sale in preparation. “We hope that you’ll stop in and take advantage of these lower prices to help us move through our inventory and stock your own shelves and cabinets,” the post notes. “We will also be putting out allocated bottles that we’ve been saving. While they might not be on sale (or not as discounted as other items), they will be available for purchase!â “

The store is currently open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

According to the announcement, “Wines Off Wynkoop opened its doors in June 1997 to a very different LoDo and Downtown Denver. I (Jonathan) started at the wine store ‘In The Alley’ back in June 2003. Lisa and I began taking over as owners in 2014 from Jed Rulon-Miller, one of the founding members of Wines Off Wynkoop. We’d like to take a moment to personally thank Jed for everything he’s done for us along the way, as a guide, supporter, and a friend. Thank you Jed! While this has been one of the hardest decisions we’ve made in our lives, we believe it’s the right decision after weighing all our options during many conversations the past few months.â “

The shop will be sharing more information on closing deals and its last day @winesoffwynkoop on Instagram.
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“While it’s sad to say goodbye to something that’s been a part of our daily lives for over 21 years, we look forward to the next chapter in our lives, and are curious to see where the path leads us,” the post concludes.