April 2, 2021

A longtime Luciano’s employee is now the wine shop’s new owner.

Jenna Snyder bought the business from owner Ray Hoffman, who moved it last fall from downtown to the east-side Dawley Farm Village.

Snyder worked for Hoffman at his downtown restaurant a decade ago and then became the manager. She originally met him when she was working as a bank teller and he was a customer.

The two “had always talked about” her taking over, “but I never thought it would come to fruition and actually happen,” she said.

Snyderhas renamed the wine shop Cellar 54 — a nod to House 54 where Hoffman was born in Germany.

“He’s the one who got me on the wine train … so it’s kind of to honor him,” she said.

“He had it set up like a wine store, and so it will be more of a wine bar here. So you can buy wine by the glass; you can purchase retail bottles in here to drink here. There will be pre-packed meat, cheese and crackers for purchase, and I’ll have a small room in the back for parties and groups.”

She sees it as a place to stop for a drink “before you head downtown or on your way home because it’s residential and there’s not a lot over here.”

She also plans to add weekly wine tastings and one higher-end tasting each month with catered food.

While Hoffman technically is retiring, “he’ll still be around” helping in the shop, Snyder said.

Hours will be from noon to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.