The pandemic-born pop-up Black Cat Wines in Brooklyn is planning to open up a brick-and-mortar later this year.
Owners Katie Zanin and Rocky Owen are bringing their “queer and Black AF” wine business to the space formerly occupied by Brooklyn Barrel in Park Slope along Fourth Avenue. The two are currently raising funds to help spruce up the space and fill their cellar before their grand opening. Their mission is to amplify the voices of “women, people of color, and queers who have been out here for years making, selling, and drinking wine and spirits.”
“It feels so good to finally have roots and become a part of a neighborhood,” Katie tells What Now New York, explaining that, while starting out as a pop-up, the duo kept extending their stay month after month thinking and fearing “it would end eventually.”
The duo explained the business in the space prior was a run-of-the-mill wine store in contrast to their store, which specifically highlights minority-owned, natural and sustainable wine producers.
“They didn’t have a focus like we do,” Katie said. “[Locals] wanted and needed this.”
“We were a little scared because it’s a little bit more expensive. We don’t have any $8 wines, but they are happy to pay the price when they know it’s good.”
Katie adds that having high-quality, chemical-free wine “usually hand-in-hand with working with small business.”
“Grapes should represent where they come from,” Katie said. “You shouldn’t have to add sulfates.”
As a Black and queer owned business, the duo said they are “excited” to give back to their communities.
“When you think of the wine industry, you think of old white men,” Katie said. “So, it’s very new.”
