Dave Vyas is no stranger to the liquor store business. He used to work at a store in Selbyville, and his uncle owns two liquor stores.
“I worked in those and got some really good training,” Vyas said.
Vyas is the new owner of Teller Wines at 1201 Savannah Road, just outside the city limits of Lewes.
He reopened the iconic business, under the familiar yellow sign, Nov. 10.
“I wanted to try something on my own, and this is the perfect place,” Vyas said.
Vyas, who is from New Jersey, recently purchased the store from Kevin and Catherine Hester, who had owned it since 2013.
Teller has earned a good reputation from oenophiles for a having a big selection. Vyas said he stocks 350 different wines.
He showed off two unique bottles from France: a 2002 Chateau Leoville Poyferre and a 2005 Cos d’estournel.
The Hesters were known for their vast knowledge of all things vino. Vyas said he wants to keep that vibe.
“People said, ‘This is a wine store, don’t bring in too much liquor.’ My main focus is wine. I just want to bring in a lot of varieties, make sure I have whatever the customer is looking for,” he said. “It’s hard to bring in everything, that’s why I’m going to ask customers to help me out.”
But for non-wine drinkers, Vyas is well-stocked with liquor and hopes to fill his fridge with craft beer.
“I just placed an order with Lewes Brewing,” he said.
Vyas is looking forward to two new businesses that will soon open next door in the same strip of stores.
Sharon Pole is turning the former Lewes Diner into a wine bar called Vino Del Mar, Spanish for Wine by the Sea. Pole is hoping to open by the end of January.
Hopkins Dairy is opening an ice cream shop, between the wine bar and Teller Wines, in early spring.
Vyas said he is counting on the rising tide lifting all boats, or in his case bottles.
“Hopkins is going to bring a lot of traffic over here, and the wine bar. At the same time, people can stop over here,” he said.
Vyas said he also hopes to someday expand Teller Wines to the space adjacent to the store space.
Dining and Cooking