Growing up in Mobile, Ala., Lauren Antoinette Maranto embraced the importance of food and beverage as key concepts of community and culture from an early age. So when she moved to Nashville in 2012, it felt natural for her to start a supper club with her friends — a time for them to come together every month to share food and build community.
Inspired by her roots and that supper club, Maranto is now planning Antoinette’s Wine Social, a wine bodega slated to open at 331 54th Ave. N. in the spring.
“When I was looking for my next chapter in my life, I knew I wanted to pull from that experience and that Gulf Coast spirit, and that’s how Antoinette’s was born,” Maranto told What Now Nashville. “I’ve always had a passion for bringing people together over food and wine, and that passion kept growing.”
Maranto has pursued wine education and worked in the industry, and she plans to bring those experiences into the wine bodega concept.
At Antoinette’s, customers will be able to buy wine, including non-alcoholic options, by the bottle from the retail side of the concept. In addition, there will be items like curated hosting boxes for sale, which will feature wine, snacks and gifts.
Customers will also be able to come to the wine bar to partake from a beverage menu featuring wine, beer, non-alcoholic beverages, CBD beverages and spirit-free wine cocktails. Food options will include shareables such as charcuterie, sliders and seafood.
Antoinette’s will take shape in a 2,400-square-foot building, which includes upstairs office and storage space. About 1,200 square feet will be customer-facing space.
“I wanted it to be the essence of going over to a friend’s house, so this is an old home we are renovating,” Maranto said.
Expect to see a moody, vintage atmosphere, featuring lounge-style arrangements. There will be couches, chairs and end tables to make the space conducive to gathering, featuring antique furniture.
“I really want Antoinette’s to be a community hub — a place for anyone who enjoys gathering together and spending time with their community,” Maranto said. “In regards to wine, for the curious beginner to the seasoned wine-o, this space is for neighbors who want a relaxed place to hang out, or for people who want to stop in for a bottle for dinner. It will hopefully provide what everyone in the community needs.”
