August Update: 530 Wine Bar

Editor’s Note: This is Carl’s 400th wine blog!!!

It’s been a couple weeks since I reported to you on our current project, the 530 Wine Bar, located next to our LEX 530 Event Center in Elkhart.

I believe we are about a month behind our original construction schedule – all due to the shortages of building materials and the overload of work our subcontractors are doing. Currently we are awaiting the arrival of the main front door, metal sliding door and two pocket doors. We also are waiting on some additional siding (four to six weeks) and some other odds and ends.

An early photo of the exterior renovation of the 530 Wine Bar.

Whenever you are dealing with food or alcohol, there are a number of local and state authorities you must deal with for various approvals. We have had our liquor consultant, Mr. Scott Bedwell, on site and he has assisted us with understanding the liquor laws we need to comply with (such as adding railings around our outdoor seating area and the need to file for three separate permits for special events in the Noah & Adler Entertainment Park). Some of the rules are very frustrating, but we will figure out way to live with them.

On the food side, we have submitted our drawings to the local county health department for approval. Last week we received our acceptance letter. This gives us permission to proceed with the construction of the bar area and storage areas connected to the kitchen.

Construction is hard at work on the interior of the wine bar.

Our designer, Debra Weninger, came in from Chicago last week and all the final colors were selected for everything. All molding layouts were completed and wood selections were made for the bar area.

As for actual construction, our FM Construction Company team is working on rebuilding the exterior façade and installing the new siding (as supplies come in). Most of the drywall work is now completed and everything is ready to be painted.

We are working on building a wooden walnut bar top and cabinets for under the bar top. The equipment we ordered for the bar is starting to come in.

The siding starting to go on.

Wine Director Stan Minden and our team have been tasting a lot of different wines, trying to find the right ones to have on our wine lists. We are making progress. I believe we have selected some 45 to 55 wines for the wine list. Our marketing director, Melissa Hiner, is designing our wine list. We will print menus in house to allow us to have flexibility to change up the wine menu as often as we like.

We still have many things to do and complete, but we are moving quickly now. We hope to be doing soft openings the first to second weeks of September and be completely open at the end of September.

The most recent photo of the exterior of the wine bar.

One of the challenges we are facing is securing help. We are in need of bartenders, servers and kitchen help. If you know anyone looking for work in this industry, send them our way!

As always, I appreciate your support of our wine blog and encourage you to share it with family and friends. If you care to share your comments on this blog posting or other topics, please do so in the comments section below.

Until next week,
Cheers

Upcoming Wine Events For 2021

8/13/21                August Wine Dinner featuring music by Paul Decker!

BUY YOUR TICKETS HERE

Our next LEX 530 Wine Dinner will be held on Friday, August 13, 2021, at the LEX 530 Event Center in Elkhart. This California Wine Dinner will feature premium wines selected by LEX 530 Wine Director, Stan Minden, to pair with Executive Chef Chad Coryn’s delectable four-course dinner. This dinner will feature live music by Paul Decker!

THE COURSES:

Reception: Passed hors d’oeuvres. Paired with an assortment of different wine options.

1st Course: Watermelon gazpacho: feta, cucumber, pistachio oil. Paired with the 2019 Emile Beyer Pinot Blanc.

2nd Course: Pan-seared sea scallops: spiced carrot purée, herb gremolata. Paired with the 2015 Troupe Albarino.

3rd Course:  Sumac and rosemary lamb: smoky eggplant caviar, farro and white bean salad. Paired with the 2018 Mount Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon.

4th Course: Trio of California cheeses with accoutrements. Paired with the 2015 Gugi Amarone.

There is limited seating for this event and we expect it to fill up fast. The event is located at 530 E. Lexington Avenue in Elkhart. Guests must be at least 21 years of age, with a valid ID. Tickets are $100.00 (tax not included). You must purchase your ticket by noon on Friday, August 6.

LEX 530 DINNER Club Member’s will receive 10% off two tickets; please contact Melissa at 574-296-1330 to receive the discount.

Menu is subject to change at Chef Chad’s discretion. Individual and shared seating options are available. If you have a preference, please call 574-296-1330 after purchasing your tickets.

9/10/21                September Wine Dinner featuring music by Julia James
9/24/21                Wine Talk & Taste Event
10/5/21                Oktoberfest Dinner with Iechyd Da Brewing Co. with music by Patti Vreugdenhil
10/22/21              Wine Talk & Taste Event
11/5/21                November Wine Dinner featuring music by Checkmark Sallie
11/19/21              Wine Talk & Taste Event