At the intersection of Florida Avenue South and East Belmar Street in Lakeland, a new wine and cheese shop is preparing to open its doors in early 2025. Opening at 1204 Florida Ave S, The Wine Garden will offer wines and cheese from all over the world, along with a wine bar featuring comfortable bar and table seating, fresh charcuterie, and an atmosphere that creates a “friendly, knowledgeable and interactive” wine experience.
“I’ve been in the wine business for 30 years now,” Lisa, who owns The Wine Garden, told What Now on Thursday. “I’ve lived in Italy and Spain, and I’ve traveled all around the world working for distributors and importers.”
After building considerable wine knowledge, Lisa has been waiting for a chance to share her love of wine with others.
“This is my dream for my career, the culmination of all that experience. It’s what I’ve been wanting to do for a long time.”
Occupying a space of about 2,500 square feet, The Wine Garden will sell wines from all over the world (European wines are Lisa’s particular specialty), plus cheeses and other gourmet products. The shop will also have about 36 seats, including at a wine bar, at tables, and eventually in a garden behind the shop. The wine bar will offer wines by the glass, as well as from the shelves for a corkage fee, plus charcuterie boards and sandwiches.
Some of the space will also be available for private events.
“The space is going to be defined by friendly, knowledgeable, and interactive approach,” Lisa said. “It’s not going to be handheld computers at the table; it’s going to be real people. I’m going to be teaching my staff everything I know so that when people come in to ask a question, they get an answer. It’s a place to come and experience and learn about wine if you’re interested. A place we’re people are always friendly, always happy to see you.”
The Wine Garden is working toward an opening this February. You can keep up with the opening by following @thewinegardenlkld on Instagram.
