1987
In March of 1987 after 3 semesters of arduous work preparing for my future, I took a leave of absence from St. Joseph's University in Philadelphia. My parents asked me if I wanted to take off a semester to experience what the retail business was like. I figured if it wasn't for me I could always return to St. Joe's in September and continue with my degree. Do I really want to follow in my father's footsteps? Well, that was many years ago! My college buddies presented me with their own version of a diploma stating that I successfully graduated with the knowledge of "moderate consumption of alcohol" or MCA with a doctorate in "gravity", A.K.A. beer funnels. And to think it only took me a year and a half to find out how lucrative the liquor industry could be... guess college can do that to you... great work-study program! I actually got one more great asset from my beloved alma mater... my darling wife and business partner, Nina!
Since that time my palate has significantly developed and has become more educated steering clear of those 16 oz. Blatz Beer days at a mere $6.95 per case! After a crash course in business management during the Spring and Summer of 1987 taught to me by my toughest teacher and mentor, my own father, I attended my first wine tasting. I immediately was fascinated with wine. I wanted to learn everything I could about it. I wanted to meet every winemaker. I wanted to read every book written about it. I couldn't wait to speak fluently with my fellow collegues and customers. I lived and breathed the subject of wine... and I wasn't even old enough to legally taste!
1993
In 1993 my parents, Wilma and Earl, decided to let go the reigns of the business. They realized my passion and dedication for the business and wine industry was sincere and inescapable. Nina and I purchased the building and business from my parents in December of 1993.
Nina has continued in the daily office management and accounting aspect of the business while I manage our dedicated staff of 3 full time wine consultants and 9 part time wine enthusiasts who all play a part in my wine buying as well as marketing the business. Myself and our unpretentious, colorful staff can often be found at our tasting bar sampling new releases or new possible placements to our ever-expanding wine inventory.
1995
In August of 1995 Frank's Union Wine Mart was on the cutting edge of the liquor industry becoming the first wine merchant on the East coast to build a walk-in cigar humidor inside a wine shop. This addition has far exceeded my goals and expectations both in sales and popularity. Aside from my monthly wine dinners which I host featuring wine importers and wine makers, I now have at least 3 cigar and wine dinners a year. Much to my surprise as many women as men attend these fun-filled evenings! "(Note: In 2003 I switched off the humidor for good as a result of the diminishing fad of women puffing away, and Govenor Ruth Ann Minner signing the indoor smoking ban in Delaware. In early 2004 I'll introduce the addition of "Frank's @Home Wine Sellers"....a full service Home Wine Cellar consulting and constructing partnership with IWA Catalogue. I'll be converting the cigar humidor into an 11-foot by 22-foot walk-in, temperature-controlled wine cellar to house my high-end wines. This will be the showroom showpiece for what can be designed in private homes!")
Fun-filled is the best hyphenated word which describes the wine industry!... and the people make it that way. History is still in the making here at Frank's Union Wine Mart, and I'm sure it will continue to be just as fun-filled as it is now. I'll make sure to keep it that way!
Cheers!
Frank DiSipio Pagliaro |
