A New Black Owned & Woman Owned Wine Store

The Urban Grape, one of the country’s most successful independently-owned wine stores, comes to DC.

We have a small wine cooler under the counter in the kitchen that we try to keep stocked. It is easy to grab a bottle of wine off a shelf to go with dinner on a weeknight, but when the weekend comes shopping and restocking the house is my happy place.

In larger stores it is not always easy to shop intentionally. There are not always signs, and sometimes store staff is unable to readily identify a brand I am trying to find. The Urban Grape is a Black owned and woman owned wine store based in Boston and they just opened their second location here in DC.

One of the country’s most successful independently-owned wine stores, is driven by a mission of building community through beverage. The Urban Grape’s DC location is in the Shaw neighborhood, a historically Black DC neighborhood. Shaw is home to Howard University and the historic Howard Theatre. The store stocks a wine for every palate, including many Black owned, woman owned, and LGBTQ+ owned varietals.

TJ and Hadley Douglas operate with a focus on hospitality and access at the forefront. Their commitment to hospitality is evident through the warm welcomes received as soon as you step inside The Urban Grape DC. I spoke with TJ and Hadley about the opening of their newest location, their internship program, and how they are making wine more accessible. Head over to Flights and Foods on YouTube or watch the interview below.

The Urban Grape sells a wide variety of wine; however, they also carry spirits, liqueurs, and non-alcoholic beverages. The Urban Grape DC is located at 1301 9th St NW, Washington, DC, USA. Follow @UrbanGrape for events and free tastings.