Marlene Karas/ViewCheri Shumsker, owner of Unwined, pours a glass at the store at 6485 N. Decatur Blvd., Suite 140.
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Unwined, a boutique wine store owned by Centennial Hills residents Cheri and Wayne Shumsker, celebrated its grand opening on Oct. 11 at 6485 N. Decatur Blvd., Suite 140. The new store is located at the northwest corner of Decatur and the Las Vegas Beltway, in the shopping center anchored by Costco and Best Buy.
The opening wasn't as grand as planned. Extremely windy weather prevented local artist Carole Ashcraft from displaying her paintings on the patio to help draw potential customers in.
"The paintings would have blown all over the place, so I just have two paintings inside the store," Ashcraft said. "Cheri and I were disappointed we couldn't display the artwork like we wanted because we thought it would draw a bigger crowd and more attention."
Ashcraft is the first featured artist to have her work displayed at Unwined, where Cheri Shumsker plans on spotlighting a new local artist every month.
"I've been here most of my life, and I like to follow the local, up-and-coming artists," Shumsker said. "Everybody needs a shot, and we have a nice rotunda area to display the artwork. I'm always looking for artists who want to be featured."
Ashcraft said the combination of wine and art is a perfect match.
"There aren't a lot of places (in the area) where artists can show their work. You have to sell on consignment or go to an art show like the one in Boulder City," she said. "It's a brilliant idea to do that, because a lot of people interested in wine also like artwork and they appreciate the atmosphere of having it around."
Unwined is a debut entrepreneurial effort for Shumsker, a veteran of the retail industry. She developed the concept of her store based on her passion for wine.
"We love to go to wine tastings in places like Napa, up in Washington, Oregon, and Temecula. We really enjoy the open atmosphere and the way things are presented," she said. "It's just really comfortable and there wasn't anything like that close to us. We want to convey that same feeling to our customers that you get in a tasting room."
The store sells mostly boutique wines from smaller labels, but you'll see some names familiar in larger stores, Shumsker said.
In addition to the artwork, Unwined has a small sitting area where a plasma TV screen will be added, broadcasting vineyard tours. The store also sells a few beers and other spirits and has a small deli counter for picnic-perfect snacks.
"What she has in her deli section, the sausages and the cheese, is excellent, just to die for," Ashcraft said.
The store holds its Wine Club gatherings on the second Tuesday of each month. Members not only get the first crack at tasting and/or purchasing the wine from the featured region every month, but they'll also have access to other special events and deals.
Unwined is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Contact Centennial View reporter Brock Radke at bradke@viewnews.com or 383-4629.
FOR WINE LOVERS
Unwined, 6485 N. Decatur Blvd., Suite 140, hosts Wine Club gatherings on the second Tuesday of each month.
The store is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
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