Wine shop works toward May 15 opening
Lynne Lynch/Columbia Basin Herald<br> I m b i b e owner Cynthia Dano holds a piece of artwork at her wine shop in Moses Lake, which is expected to open May 15.
MOSES LAKE — A new wine shop called “i m b i b e” is expected to open on May 15 at 216 W. Third Ave. in downtown Moses Lake.
Business owner Cynthia Dano said she’s focusing on promoting Eastern Washington artists and wineries.
The shop will have other wines, imports and Pacific Northwest wines available, but her real focus is Eastern Washington.
“I really try to promote our region,” she explained.
Featured artists at her shop must be from Eastern Washington, or reside here.
The artists don’t have to be established and she’s always looking for new artists.
A featured event at the shop is the artist and wine reception on the third Thursday of each month, which ties into the Moses Lake Business Association’s third Thursday shopping event.
Some downtown businesses are opened for extended hours.
Painter Melea Johnson will be the featured artist from May 15 to June 15. An artist’s reception for Johnson is set for 6 p.m. on May 21.
The featured winery is the Mattawa-area Milbrandt Vineyards. Light hors d’ oeuvres will probably be offered during wine tasting.
There’s no business in town like hers, which is why “I was thinking it was kind of cool,” she said.
The business won’t be a typical gallery or a typical wine shop, as most galleries have white walls and are kind of sterile.
And most wine shops are more rustic.
I m b i b e has a more modern feeling, with dark gray walls, Dano noted.
She said she’s posting hours of “elevenish until six or so.”
“I want people to feel comfortable,” Dano commented.
Dano’s new venture comes after being involved in artistic endeavors throughout her life.
She was a dancer growing up, had a photography studio in town until 2000 and acts and directs in the Masquers Theater.
The wine shop will be a place for Dano to display her photography and for her stepson, painter Adam Dano, to showcase his work. He also draws.
She will carry wines that are only available by visiting certain wineries.
“If you don’t want to go to Walla Walla, you can come here,” Dano says.
She mentioned Gramercy Cellars in Walla Walla and Dry Falls in Moses Lake as future participating wineries.
She also plans to hold a give back night one day a month at her business.
A percentage of the shop’s sales will be given to a charity of her choice.
Hours are Tuesday through Saturday, from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m.
For more information, call 509-765-1119.