Comments on: Column: Arbor Vinous

By: Eric

Eric — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 12:06:29 +0000

The uninformed help at many wine stores is a major problem. At VC one could generally get past the loutish children at the counter to Mr. Scheer or Rick or the other wine help — people who knew a lot and would spend some time with you. Now at most stores if you ask for wine help someone shows up with good lines and butters you up but fails to mention that he never drinks and would kill his son if he came home drunk. His fairly extensive repretoire of raps is nothing but regurgitation from the reps of the distribution companies. Its like getting clothing advice from a nudist.

By: winelover

winelover — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 16:13:20 +0000

@ Marvin- I suggest you check out the wine seller if you are on the Northside. I went in there for the first time over a year ago and have been going back ever since. They have a huge selection with competitive pricing. The owners are also very welcoming if you are still worried about that!

By: Marvin Face

Marvin Face — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 02:21:18 +0000

Poohbah, I appreciate the advice about the AA Wine Club. I may look it up. When I said “club”, what I meant was that I never felt welcomed at VC. Seemed like i needed a password or something. Clearly, I am in the minority based on the comments. I really do hope he does well in his new location and if the “ambience” is improved, and he has adequate inventory (if i find something i like I try to buy a couple cases) perhaps I become a regular. Who knows.

By: poohbah

poohbah — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 21:17:26 +0000

@ Marvin Face: It’s hard to understand why you have such a negative impression of the VC, especially for someone who buys a lot of wine. Dick and his staff know their customers and how you managed to stay under the radar is a mystery. I’ll agree with you that at times the “ambience” at the VC was a little strained. But all you had to do was say the magic word to anyone behind the counter (even interupting their conversation!): wine! Immediately, one of the knowledgeable wine staff was at your side for assistance.

The “club” is not a secret, by-invitation-only operation. It’s the Ann Arbor Wine Club. For $12 a year, you can be a member and get wine offerings several times a year with copious tasting notes for usually over 100 wines — at discounted club prices. I was a member for well over 30 years and owe my present wine expertise to this operation. Go to the VC web site — http://villagecorner.com/clubs/index.html — and you’ll find info on how to join, and when the next club tastings are scheduled (events you will not want to miss).

In truth, I wonder if VC will be as successful in its new location as in the past. It does look like just another “liquor store in a mall.” Yet, the Wine Seller in the Plymouth Rd mall seems to be doing okay. And I would guess that the customer service folks will get at VC will carry the day.

This comment is an unsolcited, unpaid endorsement of the Village Corner.

By: Joel Goldberg

Joel Goldberg — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 14:26:01 +0000

Wrapped inside an unnecessary racial generalization lies a valid observation: one of Village Corner’s strengths was always its long-term staff’s wine knowledge. Although that kind of expertise has much wider distribution among local retailers today, you can still walk into many places that sell wine whose saleclerks (of all ethnic backgrounds) are clueless about what’s on the shelf.

By: Eric

Eric — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 11:57:48 +0000

Mr. Scheers operation was one of the last local wine and liquor retailers that was owned and operated by people who drink. Most stores now are run by asians or middle easterners who never touch the stuff themselves. They will talk for twenty minutes about the differences between Laphroig and Lagavulin but what they are saying is just memorized twaddle from liquor reps and company propaganda.

By: James Papsdorf

James Papsdorf — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 02:27:28 +0000

Great news, Joel !!!

My glass [soon] runneth over !!!

By: Marvin Face

Marvin Face — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 22:10:35 +0000

I have to admit that this location will be much better but I doubt I will actually go over there. On the occasions at I ventured over to VC,I always had to squeeze by: A) a line of bums (oops, sorry…home-challenged individuals) returning bags of cans/bottles collected from the adjacent student neighborhoods. B) a line of “brahs” picking up 3 or 4 kegs of Natti Light each, or 3) a gathering of the clerks friends at the front counter who were all way too busy in conversation to help.

I never found the attraction of that place. I buy a LOT of wine, but never was I welcomed into the VC ” club”. After a while, I went elsewhere and never returned. I wish him the best and hope he has refined his business model.

By: Tom Brandt

Tom Brandt — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 19:49:41 +0000

The Village Corner was great because Dick Scheer knows what he is doing. He presumably will continue to know what he is doing even on Plymouth Road.

By: Alan Goldsmith

Alan Goldsmith — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 18:21:25 +0000

“Now that it is moving to this location, it will soon become just another strip mall liquor store.”

As if the LOCATION and not the karma of the owners gives a place its heart and soul? I disagree!