Bringing In a New Flavor

New owners Karl Kennedy and Alex are trying to expand the Cork 'N Bottle liquor store's client base by offering wine tastings. (Lois Raimondo - Twp)

A handwritten sign hangs on the beer cooler at Cork 'N Bottle: "NO SINGLE BEERS!! DO NOT BREAK UP 6 PACKS!!!"

It's one of the touches new owners Karl Kennedy and Alex Dixon have added. Kennedy wants to redefine liquor stores on Georgia Avenue, notorious for its neon Budweiser signs. Cork 'N Bottle has wine tastings.

On a table with plastic cups, Rod Carlsen, who works for Bacchus Importers, sets up three selections -- a French chardonnay, a California pinot noir and a Washington state red. Across the way is a counter loaded with hot pickles, beef jerky and pork rinds.

Many people passed him by, but a few stopped to sip from the tiny cups. One or two turned them up like shot glasses; others could school Carlsen.

Abu Bakr Roland and his fiancee, Juanita Mason, took Carlsen up on his offer. Roland then went off to the cooler. "I usually just come right back to the beer," he said, picking up some Icehouse.

"But I drink the wine," Mason chimed in. "It's about time. We're sick of seeing beer, liquor, liquor, liquor."

"I used to love Georgia Avenue," Roland said. "Seeing the nice women walking on Georgia. Going to the stores. The whole attitude of the street has changed, pretty much like the attitude of D.C. has changed. It's not comfortable."

-- Nikita Stewart