Partners make wine sublime

‘The best job ever!’ ever!’

Unlikely duo is setting the wine scene a buzz

story by Brett McLaughlin | photos courtesy of Partners in Wine

riting for Inc. magaasked about how they went zine, Paul Brown, author into business together, the of ‘Entrepreneurship for nature of their business the Rest of Us,’ said, “Planplan or what their plans ning in and of itself doesn’t accomplish a darn thing. It’s far better to get into the marketplace and see what are for the future. “My daughter was in the fourth grade and she Special events such as ’80s Night, which found owners Faith (left) and Lisa dressed for the occasion, have proven very popular. happens.” told me, ‘You need to call

In all likelihood, neither Faith Cooper nor Peyton’s mom’,” Cooper said, Lisa Wessendorf ever read that particular arsmiling at the recollection. “We wished we had a bigger space,” Wessenticle, but regardless, they probably could have The two moms did meet and began chatting dorf said. written it. as strangers would. By March 2018, their conAnd, why not?

Cooper and Wessendorf are Partners in versations had turned to what they might like After four and a half months of renovations, Wine … literally and figuratively. to do next. Cooper had been a teacher. WesPartners in Wine (PIW) opened Sept. 14,

They are partners in a booming wine bar — sendorf was in sales. Both agreed that, what2018. The local response was immediate and Partners in Wine — in downtown Walhalla. ever the future held, it didn’t involve having a impressive.

Three years ago they didn’t live there. A litboss. “The locals have really embraced us,” Cootle more than two years ago they were strang“We agreed that Walhalla needed some per said, identifying a core group of people ers. Drawn to one another at the insistence place to hang out,” Cooper said. “We both like from Walhalla, Seneca and Clemson. of their children, they tend to chuckle when wine, so that seemed like a “Our customers are our friends,” her partner good idea.” added. “They want us to succeed.” They both laugh when The partners will admit that their success asked about how their busihas been shaped as much by destiny as by deness plan took shape. sign. While they did research the state’s alco“Our business plan was to hol laws and potential distributors (“They will open a wine bar in Walhalla,” tell you they also thought we were nuts,” CooWessendorf mused. per noted.), many decisions have been made “We sat out here and simply because they made sense to “a couple of watched cars go by. There city girls.” seemed to be a lot of them,” Hosting local Chamber events and monthCooper said. ly Palmetto Trail Talks, welcoming private “Here” was an empty parties and allowing guests to bring in enstorefront at 115 East Main tire meals, embracing local wines and regularSt. They made a quick decily changing out the bottled craft beers offersion to obtain the space and ings, extending hours after shows at the nearby went to work designing a Walhalla Performing Arts Center, introducing Christmas in July at Partners in Wine raised money for Our Daily Rest Homeless Shelter. floor plan, drawing it with crayons on a scrap of paper. “We just didn’t know wine slushies last summer and opening a mimosa bar (with food truck) on “Summer Sundays” have all been savvy business decisions any better,” Cooper said, that the two owners would suggest they more her irrepressible smile firmly in place. or less stumbled across.

Faith Cooper (left) and Lisa Wessendorf didn’t know about Walhalla three years ago and didn’t know each other until just a couple of years ago. Now, they are friends and partners in a successful wine emporium.

“Lisa handles sales. I drink a lot,” Faith quipped.

Seriously, however, the pair has developed a line of clothing, tumblers and other paraphernalia they sell out of the store as well as online through Facebook and Instagram. During the recent pandemic they improvised and sold frozen wine pops for takeout.

While there is “no set schedule” for entertainment at Partners, the ladies do plan regular special events, and the firm’s reputation has grown to the point where musicians — some from Nashville — have begun reaching out to them. Recently PIW shot a released music video for Diamonds & Whiskey whose lead singer lives in Walhalla.

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An event for the Humane Society raised over $1,500 and hundreds of pounds of supplies. It is just one of many community events Partners in Wine has hosted.

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The partners are excellent entrepreneurs and even better neighbors. Their efforts to contribute to the community are numerous, including fundraisers for Christmas for Kids and the Humane Society. They have actively participated in community Partners in Wine is open Tues.-Thurs., 4-9 p.m.; Fri. & Sat., 4-10 p.m.; Check the website, or their Facebook or Instagram outlets for Sunday brunch/mimosa dates and additional information; call 864.638.9778 for private events. events and have sponsored shows at the Walhalla PAC.

“We don’t want to be outsiders,” Lisa said. “We’re here for the community, not just ourselves.”

Their efforts have not gone unnoticed and have been rewarded.

Through smiles and laughter they recalled how their 2nd Annual Hair of the Dog Mimosa Bar and Food Truck event, planned for New Year’s Day, fell apart on New Year’s Eve.

“At 4:30 (p.m.) on the 31st we found out the food truck vendor was sick and wasn’t going to make it,” Faith said. “We said, ‘What are we going to do?’ We decided we would cook all night and give the food away.” (They are not licensed to serve food.)

“But some of our customers found out what had happened,” she continued. “One guy brought in a tray of cookies. Another showed up with four hams and some biscuits. We weren’t sure how we were going to keep everything warm so some other customers brought in warmers and some chicken. It was amazing.”

While it’s not unusual to find members of the partners’ families helping out, it is also not unusual to see patrons taking out the trash or doing the recycling.

“They just jump in and help us when we need them,” Lisa said.

“It’s fun,” Faith said, “and, honestly, it’s the best job ever.” n

PIW currently has a hotdog-eating contest slated for July 3 and planning is underway for a second anniversary event in September.

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The community responded immediately and impressively to Partners in Wine and the two women who have made it happen.