Mike Graley, a wine buyer for Heinen's for 20 years, is applying his expertise to a new venture, Battery Park Wine Bar, a.k.a. YOLO Wine Bar in Battery Park. YOLO stands for "You Only Live Once," which Graley says is the theme of his unpretentious, contemporary joint, in the former Eveready plant in Detroit Shoreway's Battery Park neighborhood.

This "not-so-typical wine bar," as Graley describes it, will carry well over 100 varieties, all sold at just $12 above retail -- unlike the more typical double-retail. The same price structure will be used in the adjacent retail shop. Graley is talking to some Ohio wineries about carrying their labels.

The menu will feature "medium plates" like beef and lamb sliders, truffle mac and cheese, pork and veal meatballs, Ohio City Pasta, and a variety of fries, plus cheese, meat and olive boards and salads.

The wine bar will be the first business to open in the Powerhouse, as the old Eveready plant is now known. The Powerhouse is in the heart of the Battery Park residential community, developed by Vintage Development Group. "It shows that redevelopment of the lakefront is a huge asset," says Jeff Ramsey, executive director of the Detroit Shoreway Community Development Organzation. The Waterfront District Plan will greatly increase pedestrian and bicycle access to the lake by 2014.

YOLO Wine Bar is scheduled to open November 15. For updates send an e-mail to info@batteryparkwinebar.com.

Source: Mike Graley
Writer: Frank W. Lewis