Spirits and Spice, opening Saturday, Oct. 10 on the 7th floor of Water Tower Place, 835 N. Michigan Ave., offers food lovers a way to get out of the house (or escape the kids for an afternoon) and explore the flavors of the world. This is the first location outside of the Mountain West for the specialty retailer, which was founded in Jackson Hole, Wyoming and inspired by the adventures of its husband-and-wife owners, Kim and Gary Weiss. In addition to the Wyoming flagship, there are Spirits and Spice stores in Las Vegas and Sedona, Arizona.
In addition to custom spice blends and a selection of spirits, wine and liqueurs, Spirits and Spice offers vinegars and oils, both traditional and flavor-infused, plus craft beer, gourmet snacks, sauces and spreads.
Guests are welcome and encouraged to sample select items before buying, a signature element of the Spirits and Spice experience.
“Whether you’re a first-time customer or a repeat guest, every sip and sample you enjoy at Spirits and Spice is meant to be a transportive experience and, more importantly, fun! We’re excited to expand out of our Southwest roots,” says Kim Weiss.
Following COVID-19-related guidance, the Chicago location will limit the number of people in the store and require mask use, although masks may be pulled down when guests try products. (Because of current restrictions, guests will not be able to sample spices.) The store will offer single-use paper cups rather than its usual glass tasters for spirits, which are dispensed from casks and glass balloons.
A former litigator and longtime food connoisseur, Kim Weiss sources and selects every Spirits and Spice product, with an emphasis on finds from across the globe and collaborations with distillers, breweries, vineyards and other local producers.
The wine selection at the Chicago store will feature more than 400 bottles from small family wineries, all organized by flavor profile. Spirits run the gamut, from cranberry gin by local favorite Koval Distillery, to a 39-year Armagnac, to Arcola Whiskey, made in 10-liter stills by a retired teacher in Wyoming with an impressive handlebar moustache (really!). Several liqueurs, including the Honey Vanilla Rye Liqueur, are SIP Award winners.
Spice blends are developed by a family friend. Among them: Shake Your Peaches Spicy Rub (for chicken, salad, fruit and more) and Bloody Good on Everything (for everything, including Bloody Marys). Oils and vinegars, which include prized aceto balsamico from Italy’s Modena region, are filled in the store in glass bottles that can be brought back and refilled on subsequent visits for a discount.
Kim Weiss traded legal briefs for fine foods in 2010 after taking a trip to Europe with Gary, whose background is in facilities management for national retailers. That trip inspired them to create their own business and soon, Spirits and Spice was born. The family business keeps growing. Daughter Erin Weiss is the company’s director of strategic planning and son David Pepper is the manager of the Chicago store.
Spirits and Spice at Water Tower Place will be open during mall hours, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.
Spirits and Spice, opening Saturday, Oct. 10 on the 7th floor of Water Tower Place, 835 N. Michigan Ave., offers food lovers a way to get out of the house (or escape the kids for an afternoon) and explore the flavors of the world. This is the first location outside of the Mountain West for the specialty retailer, which was founded in Jackson Hole, Wyoming and inspired by the adventures of its husband-and-wife owners, Kim and Gary Weiss. In addition to the Wyoming flagship, there are Spirits and Spice stores in Las Vegas and Sedona, Arizona.
In addition to custom spice blends and a selection of spirits, wine and liqueurs, Spirits and Spice offers vinegars and oils, both traditional and flavor-infused, plus craft beer, gourmet snacks, sauces and spreads.
Guests are welcome and encouraged to sample select items before buying, a signature element of the Spirits and Spice experience.
“Whether you’re a first-time customer or a repeat guest, every sip and sample you enjoy at Spirits and Spice is meant to be a transportive experience and, more importantly, fun! We’re excited to expand out of our Southwest roots,” says Kim Weiss.
Following COVID-19-related guidance, the Chicago location will limit the number of people in the store and require mask use, although masks may be pulled down when guests try products. (Because of current restrictions, guests will not be able to sample spices.) The store will offer single-use paper cups rather than its usual glass tasters for spirits, which are dispensed from casks and glass balloons.
A former litigator and longtime food connoisseur, Kim Weiss sources and selects every Spirits and Spice product, with an emphasis on finds from across the globe and collaborations with distillers, breweries, vineyards and other local producers.
The wine selection at the Chicago store will feature more than 400 bottles from small family wineries, all organized by flavor profile. Spirits run the gamut, from cranberry gin by local favorite Koval Distillery, to a 39-year Armagnac, to Arcola Whiskey, made in 10-liter stills by a retired teacher in Wyoming with an impressive handlebar moustache (really!). Several liqueurs, including the Honey Vanilla Rye Liqueur, are SIP Award winners.
Spice blends are developed by a family friend. Among them: Shake Your Peaches Spicy Rub (for chicken, salad, fruit and more) and Bloody Good on Everything (for everything, including Bloody Marys). Oils and vinegars, which include prized aceto balsamico from Italy’s Modena region, are filled in the store in glass bottles that can be brought back and refilled on subsequent visits for a discount.
Kim Weiss traded legal briefs for fine foods in 2010 after taking a trip to Europe with Gary, whose background is in facilities management for national retailers. That trip inspired them to create their own business and soon, Spirits and Spice was born. The family business keeps growing. Daughter Erin Weiss is the company’s director of strategic planning and son David Pepper is the manager of the Chicago store.
Spirits and Spice at Water Tower Place will be open during mall hours, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.
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