The Doors Are Open Again at Continental Wine & Spirits

Corey Fine, owner of Continental Wine & Spirits at 58 William Street, has fully reopened his shop after construction to repair the damage done when a car crashed into his store in January due to icy and snowy conditions.

Mr. Fine had only just taken over ownership last July and remodeled in August.

After weeks of takeout and delivery, Mr. Fine said he was thrilled to fully reopen the store with its wall and picture window replaced.

“It’s been four months since the accident and two weeks since we fully reopened,” Fine said on a hot afternoon last week as a steady stream of customers rounded out their workdays with a visit to Continental.

Corey Fine outside his newly reopened Continental Wine & Spirits store at the corner of William and Church Streets. Photo: Leslie Yager

Mr. Fine said regular customers range from Greenwich Academy and Brunswick school teachers, to nurses at Greenwich Hospital, to residents of the historic Fourth Ward.

“It feels like a neighborhood gathering place,” Fine said as customers chatted while browsing.

“Corey is so accommodating and willing to bring things in by request,” said Brunswick teacher, Payten Dudkiz.

“I’m honoring the legacy of the previous owners while adding some modern touches,” Fine added, gesturing to the vintage tin ceiling and oversized window with its view of the park across Church Street.

Corey Fine in front of the new picture window of his recently reopened Continental Wine & Spirits store at the corner of William and Church Streets. Photo: Leslie Yager

Continental Wine & Spirits, 58 William Street, reopened after repairs and repainting. Photo: Leslie Yager

Mr. Fine is a Certified Sommelier. He received an MBA from University of Southern California where he was the president of the school’s wine club. Today, in addition to tasting events, he does cellar consultations where he analyzes clients’ wines to determine their street value, advises on collectible wines to round out collections and even appraises wines for sale at auction.

In the store, Continental’s display cases brim with micro brews, 350-400 different spirits with a big emphasis on whiskey and tequila, upwards of 500 wines, with a blend of classic wines, and wines requested by regular customers.

“There’s also artisanal products from my time living in California – in Napa and Sonoma wine-producing country,” Fine said.

Fine said he was so grateful to the neighborhood, as well as other liquor store owners who have been supportive both in the immediate aftermath of the crash and on a day-to-day basis.

“Many customers have become regulars, and there is a real sense of community here,” Fine added.