After 35 years as a general manager of golf courses and country clubs, most recently at Innisbrook in Palm Harbor and the Belleview Biltmore in Belleair, Lutz resident Chuck Eade was looking for a change of pace.
When he learned that his favorite wine bar and package store in Lutz was for sale, he jumped at the opportunity to work close to home at something he loved — enjoying good wines and talking to friends and neighbors.
This past November, Chuck and Anita became owner of Jan’s Wine and Boos II, located in a retail center at Dale Mabry Highway and W. Lutz Lake Fern Road in Lutz. Previous owners, Dwayne and Jan Ingram, had opened the store next to Publix in 2000 and were selling to retire.
“My wife and I had been coming here for years and always enjoyed the atmos- phere and neighborhood camaraderie,” said Chuck. “Jan and Dwayne had built up a nice clientele of professional people who enjoy a good glass of wine, good company and good conversations. We’ve simply taken it from there.”
Since becoming owner, Chuck has opened up the front area of the store to make it brighter and less cluttered and has added more high-top seating next to the bar.
The new tables, along with a unique, custom-made bar, comfortably sit 35 to 40 people. The establishment’s most popular gathering is a weekly wine and cheese tasting every Friday evening beginning at 6:30 p.m.
“It’s a great value, and we have a lot of fun,” said Chuck. “For just $10 per person, you get a sampling of four to six wines and a generous plate of cheese, crackers and fruit. It’s an inexpensive way to sample the premier wines we stock from smaller vineyards in California, Spain and Italy.”
Jan’s Wine and Boos II has an extensive collection of wines, said Chuck, who has been a wine enthusiast for 20 years. “We stock wines here that you do not find at grocery stores and Walmart,” he said.
Most of the wine Chuck sells is in the $10 to $20 range, although he does stock exclusive wines for special occasions that sell for more than $50.
“Anybody can buy a good bottle of wine if they want to spend $50,” said Chuck. “We specialize at helping people find a great bottle of wine for just $10 or $20.”
In addition to wine, the store has a full-service package store with beer, liquor and cordials. The store is popular with folks who shop at the Publix next door and want to pick up a good bottle of wine for dinner or to replenish their liquor cabinet.
Currently, Jan’s Wine & Boos II is fea- turing 10 percent off all wine. “Our prices are already competitive, but we’re offering another 10 percent off to encourage people to stop buy and see our selection and give us a try,” said Chuck.
Most of Chuck’s customers are professionals, 35 years and older, who live in the surrounding neighborhoods of Cheval, Villa Rosa, Heritage Harbor and The Lakes of Wellington, which is where Chuck and his wife Anita live with their 20-year-old daughter Keeton and 13-year- old son Logan.
Keeton, a 2010 graduate of Steinbrenner High and a college student, works alongside her dad at the store. Logan is a budding baseball player in Lutz Little League and at Reggie Williams’ Dawg Pound travel team. Anita, assistant director at a Lutz area preschool, also helps at the family business.
After six months of owning his business, what does Chuck think of running his own show?
“It’s certainly a more relaxing pace,” said Chuck. “I’m pleased that the business is steadily growing, and we’ve been able to add new events and expand our inventory of wines.”
The key to his success, Chuck says, is treating everyone who walks in the door as if they are his best customers. “It’s all about customer service,” said Chuck.
Jan’s Wine & Boos II is open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday to 10 p.m.
This story is a feature of the advertising department.
