Today we’d like to introduce you to Victoria Merrick.
Hi Victoria, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My passion for wine all started when I studied abroad in Italy during my time at university. My first experience with wine was some of the BEST – how could I not fall in love? When I returned home, I immediately applied to work at a local wine bar in Texas. My excitement for my job led me to management within a few months, and soon after, I was helping the owner choose which wines to serve in her bar. Although I loved wine, I was obtaining a Masters of Healthcare Administration and applying to medical schools to one day become a physician. However, through the interview process for medical school, I quickly determined that I wanted to pursue my main love -wine. I quit the process altogether (pissed off my parents) and began applying to local wine sales jobs! I landed a career selling various wines to local bars and restaurants. My career took a turn when Covid hit in 2020, and when every restaurant and bar closed, so did my job. I moved to Florida to get myself closer to the beach and start over, landing in Jacksonville! I moved to Murray Hill and found a lovely, local wine shop called Bernie’s Wine Stop. I enjoyed their Friday night wine tastings so much that I brought my resume soon after and practically begged to work for them! I got the job working part-time and absolutely loved it. Within no time (and quite luckily), they granted me the management position when the current manager had to move away. I was in charge of the day-to-day responsibilities as well as hand-picking the wines we sold in the shop. Serendipitously, after a few years, the owner at the time asked me if I was interested in purchasing the shop from him. It was too good to be true. After lots of excited squeals, I exclaimed, “Absolutely!” Champagne was poured, celebrations were had, and within a few months, I was the new owner of Bernie’s Wine Stop. It’s been the best ride, and I have now owned the shop for a fun TWO years!!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
A smooth road? Absolutely not. I’ve never owned a business, and at 29, I had NO idea what I was doing. I knew I loved wine and was educated enough in that field, but owning and operating my own shop? Holy moly, I had no idea what I was in for. From doing taxes to building a website, I had so much to learn! However, I wouldn’t trade it for the world. Being your own boss has its ups and downs, but overall, it’s a blast!
We’ve been impressed with Bernie’s Wine Stop, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My shop, Bernie’s Wine Stop, features a curated selection of wines from around the world with price points to fit every budget. Whether you’re celebrating or having a night in, we love helping each customer find their perfect bottle! We are also known for our weekly Friday night wine tastings where we feature six wines with cheese pairings with our nextdoor neighbor, Grater Goods, for only $10! We also have a wine club where members get a monthly hand-picked selection of wines that they can get at our pickup parties! Through our website, customers can place orders for pickup or delivery, saving time and energy to make shopping a breeze!
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
Bernie is my BIGGEST mentor. He taught me the ropes of running the shop and has expertly shared his wine knowledge to me, continuously helping me better myself for my customers. My family, especially my parents, have greatly helped me through their unlimited support and love. Whether it’s as simple as working the register or sweeping the floors, or giving me financial advice, they have been their with me every step of the way.
Pricing:
- $10 Friday Night Wine Tastings
Contact Info:
- Website: bernieswinestop,com
- Instagram: bernies_wine_stop
