WineStyles Owners Leaving, Focusing on Online Wine Venture

Owners of the Lake View small business WineStyles are taking a step forward, leaving the storefront and focusing on their online venture, Cellar Angels.

Martin and Denise Cody announced to their newsletter subscribers that WineStyles, located at 1433 W. Belmont Ave., is now up for sale.

But that’s not a bad thing, the duo says. Their unique online business is rapidly expanding, and they’re preparing to bring wine to more households than ever before.

“We love our wine store and being that local wine shop,” said Martin Cody. “We want to pass that torch on to another wine lover. … But the online wine marketing company is really starting to take off and take up more of our time.”

Cody started Cellar Angels in November of 2010, and it’s like a cross between a wine club and Groupon with a philanthropic twist.

Wine lovers sign up online for a complimentary membership, and every week they get an email with the wine of the week, complete with a description and video. The offerings are boutique wines from smaller vineyards in areas like Napa Valley, and according to Cody, the low prices are simply unheard of.

Customers can buy as much as they want during the 5-day window, and shipping is a flat $10.

And during the checkout process, buyers can select a charity they’d like to donate 10 percent of the proceeds to. From the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation to a no-kill pet adoption center, there are 18 good causes to drink to.

As for WineStyles, it’ll remain in business with a new owner.

“We do have several interested parties,” Cody said. “I imagine that we could have an owner in place as early as August or September.”