Sarah Zimmerman of South Elgin agreed that Saturday’s mild, spring-like temperatures offered visitors to Batavia the perfect backdrop for visiting shops in the downtown area while at the same time enjoying ample samplings of wine during the Step Into Spring: Wine Walk event.
“There are like 14 places offering wine today while people shop and I can see hitting at least 12 of them, maybe more,” Zimmerman said as she stopped outside the Boardwalk Shops in Batavia along Route 25 and Wilson Street. “I know there is shopping involved today too, so any little household knickknacks or boutiques for clothing would also make the day a success.”
The Batavia MainStreet group offered the four-hour Step Into Spring: Wine Walk event for the first time on Saturday. It began at 1 p.m. and featured 14 locations where shoppers who had registered in advance could enjoy one-ounce pours of either white or red wine as well as snacks served at many locations.
Kristen Desler, assistant director of Batavia MainStreet, said the event had been in the works for a number of years and was something that local businesses really wanted.
“Wine walks like this have been popular in other communities,” Desler noted before Saturday’s event. “We sold out over 400 tickets and for a first-time event, we’re absolutely thrilled for our businesses. We know that in the summer things are kind of bustling with the farmers market here twice a week and the Boardwalk Shops but this time of year – especially in March – things are kind of quieter and our shops are looking for that extra infusion of business.”
Desler said based on registration, “over half of those coming Saturday are from out-of-town,” which she noted “is an exciting opportunity for our businesses to attract some new people.”
Wines for the event were purchased by Batavia MainStreet from a local distributor, Desler said, “who helped us curate a great selection of both local and more popular wines including some from small, family vineyards.”
“We hope people would return here in the future because of this,” she said.
Those who purchased tickets received 14 one-ounce pours as well as a commemorative wine glass and a small snack tray with a lanyard holding it, and a bag of kettle corn.
A spring-themed photo booth was provided at the Boardwalk Shops where check-in for the event was held. Those who purchased tickets were assigned to start at one of three zones in order to avoid a large bottleneck at the beginning.
One of the busier zones was at the Boardwalk Shops entrance where dozens of people were seen lining up to receive their registration materials, maps and wine glasses.
Kristine Hurley of Naperville, who said she was representing sponsor Ignite Medical Resorts at the event, noted the wine and shopping concept “is an amazing way to get the community of Batavia out and enjoying something new.”
“This is the first time that Batavia MainStreet has put this together, and it’s wonderful to be a part of it,” she said. “The weather has really cooperated. Nobody is in their heavy coats and they can enjoy it. As far as the wine and what it adds, I think this is kind of the new generation of people that like to do this and get exposed to wines and wineries.”
Those who bought tickets agreed that enjoying wine along with shopping with friends or a spouse was all that was needed to make the day a success.
Renee Nolan of Romeoville said that “having the wine is definitely an enticement.”
“That, and the beautiful day. As far as wine goes I like a mix,” she said. “In a perfect day, I’m hoping to getting around to all the stops and checking out what they have.”
David Sharos is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
