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Building a home for Ontario's independent drinks makers.
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Gallery (5)
$7,364 raised
105% of $7k goal
49 contributors
33 Weeks running
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By Archives Wine and Spirit Merchants
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Verified organization Keep it all St Catharines, ON, CA
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  • Updates1
  • Activity49
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Archives Wine and Spirit Merchants hasn't added a story.

GOAL ACHIEVED, THANK YOU! 
We've set a stretch goal of 10K and the rewards are still available. We hope you'll join us.

Welcome to Archives Wine and Spirit Merchants.

We're completing a bottle shop and community hub where small drinks producers can emerge from under the liquor monopoly and thrive.

Update: check out our story in The Niagara Independent!

It is almost impossible for independent drinks makers to get shelf space at the LCBO or Beer Store.  The process is expensive, time-consuming, and designed to favour global brands. As a result, Ontario's best wine, beer, cider, and spirits are hidden from 99% of customers. Meanwhile, local producers  can't make a profit  and often  abandon their dreams. And though we now have private bottle shops, the few large ones mostly focus on higher-margin imported wine. 

Ontario producers need a champion.

 

Ontario's drinks industry is like an iceberg; you may know the large global brands but you probably haven't discovered local producers like Black Bank Hill, Lincoln County Cider, or Ev's Eclectics.

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From our space in St. Catharines, Archives Wine & Spirit Merchants will change the industry, becoming the first full-size bottle shop and urban tasting bar focused on independent, local drinks.  And we'll deliver right across Ontario through our website, myarchives.ca

Here, you can try a glass of mead before picking up a 4-pack, grab a pint as you peruse the shelves, or share some wine with friends before recorking the bottle to take home. Archives will be part tasting bar, part bottle shop, part neighbourhood hangout. We'll also be the physical space many small producers don't have, where they can launch products, hold tastings, and sample their offerings without the immense costs and bureaucratic hassle of the LCBO. 

Uncovering unique new releases, like this Dornfelder from Drea's, is the best part of our job. Uncovering unique new releases, like this small batch Dornfelder from Drea's, is the best part of our job.

Who's behind Archives?

The opposite of monopoly; Robbie (L) and Jordan (R)

No bureaucrats or business suits here. We're Robbie Raskin and Jordan Epstein, two friends in our mid-20's who've thrown our savings into pursuing this dream. Robbie's originally from Toronto and Jordie's from Sydney, Australia! Before this opportunity presented itself, Robbie was working at a Niagara winery and preparing to launch a boutique whisky brand (which he couldn't sell under Ontario's monopoly, of course). Best-mate Jordan divides his time between his day job in finance and a startup he's launched focused on sustainable food.

We've already built it:

Characterful bottles, characterful bottle shop. We're uncovering and restoring over a century of history in the shop

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We leased 39 James Street last November and restored its century-old wooden fixtures, adding modern systems underneath, and creating a clubhouse vibe where guests (not customers) can linger. 

Through passion rather than bureaucracy, we're building an alternative to the monopoly. We've been waiting a looooooong time for building permits, so in the mean time we've opened The Farm Gate, a locally-focused popup shop. Meeting the community been tremendously fun but our plan hasn't changed; we want to open Archives and bring the drinks community with us.

The Archives Cask Society will connect members with captivating insider experiences like tastings in Niagara cellars.

 

Construction during the week, gourmet shopping on the weekend.

Now open with gourmet food items, the shop is nearly ready for alcohol. We've completed inspections, applied for our licences, and are nearly ready to open the bottle shop. All that's left is to construct accessible washrooms and a new exit in the back. And of course, a couple finishing touches - we're thinking a drop ceiling made of barrel staves for our tasting lounge.

 

Together, we can put the finishing touches on Archives. What do you think about a dropped ceiling of charred barrel staves here?

Why do we need your help?

We've already completed the required inspections, met with the AGCO (in charge of liquor licencing), built out the shop, and forged great relationships with local producers. We just need to finish the washrooms and a second exit to get our municipal signoff - the last step toward a liquor licence.

 

Together, we can build the change Ontario's drinks scene deserves. Thank you for your consideration!

Highlights

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Private after-hours shopping session
$3 CAD

You'll have the run of the bottle shop to taste and explore at your leisure.

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Featured
Autograph a Barrel
$5 CAD

Sign a barrel displayed in the shop.

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Washroom stall ruminations
$8 CAD
  • 9 claimed

Constructing four WC's is going to cost us a sh*tload! Help us by adding your cheeky quote, to be printed on a stall door with your name (or pseudonym). We'll reach out by email to get your quote.

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$20 Gift Card
$20 CAD
  • 7 ordered
  • 3 remaining

Digital gift card for use today at The Farm Gate or, when open, the bottle shop.

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'Niche Niagara Wineries' book
$25 CAD
  • 1 claimed
  • 11 remaining

Limited release book by local author Peggy Brennan, guiding readers through dozens of under-the-radar local wine experiences.

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Featured
Commemorative artwork including your name
$60 CAD
  • 3 claimed

Your name incorporated into our commemorative grand opening artwork, with a copy hung in the shop and one for you.

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'Archives Founding Supporter' Champion crewneck
$80 CAD + shipping
  • 8 ordered
Ships Worldwide

Champion crewneck sweater with the Archives barrels logo and 'Founding Supporter' printed on the sleeve.

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Featured
Seasonal pantry box
$90 CAD + shipping
  • 5 ordered
Ships to Canada

A bespoke box of seasonal, local pantry items from our Farm Gate collection, delivered free in Niagara or shipped to you in Canada.

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Cocktailing class with a local distiller
$100 CAD

A private session with a Niagara distiller, learning to mix cocktails made with local ingredients. $100/pp up to 6 guests.

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Private tasting evening for two
$200 CAD
  • 4 claimed

In the shop or at home, by arrangement.

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'Founding Supporter' etched Riedel glass set
$250 CAD

4 Red and 4 White wine glasses, (or 8 pint glasses) from Riedel, etched with 'Archives W&S M Founding Supporter.' For pickup, free local delivery, or worldwide shipping. -Beer lovers can select pint glasses instead!

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Private tasting evening for four
$350 CAD

In the shop or at home, by arrangement.

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Featured
Annual award named after you
$650 CAD
  • 2 claimed
  • 4 remaining

We'll hold an annual award ceremony for our favourite new wine, beer, cider, and spirits. Your name will go on an award and you'll be invited to help pick the winner and present it at the ceremony!

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Bespoke tasting evening for ten
$750 CAD
  • 1 claimed

In the shop or at home, by arrangement, with a roster of wine, beer, and spirits selected to suit your individual tastes.

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For our industry partners - promotional display
$500 CAD

We will order your product(s) by the case, up to $450 and create a monthlong promotional display, working with you to customise the display for your alcoholic or non-alcoholic product.

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Archives Legend
$10,000 CAD

All the above perks plus a bespoke all-inclusive weekend in Niagara. Includes lodging, private access to the store each evening, gourmet meals, and exclusive behind-the-scenes wine, beer, and distillery experiences in the region. Thank you for making this dream possible.

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