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I hopped on the trusty bike at Hawthorne station last night (OK, not so trusty…flat tire this morning, had to walk), and spied something out of the corner of my eye next to the station: Signs of life inside the space that’s threatened to become Hawthorne Wines for several months.

Indeed, the new wine shop is open, so I parked my Trek and went in to check it out.

It’s a great looking space–you’d never, ever imagine that it was that same filthy comic book shop/deli/ice cream store with the Jerry Garcia looking proprietor before. I met the owner Tom, a guy in his late 20s who grew up in Hawthorne and graduated from Westlake.

He’s got both wine and spirits, and in a nod to the store’s placement next to the station, he’s even offering 5% off for anyone with a “MetroPass.” I’m not certain what a MetroPass is, but I think Tom will accept either a MetroCard or a monthly pass.

Tom also says he’ll be hosting plenty of tastings, and even offered to crack open something refreshing for a summer evening.  

I of course couldn’t say no to that MetroPass discount, and opted for an appealing 2007 California Chardonnay. I forget the make, but needless to say, it had a cute drawing of an animal on the label, same as every kind of wine I buy. I threw it into my backpack, wished Tom well and headed off into the mid-Westchester gloaming.

The prices and selection may not quite compare to the bigger wine store at the shopping center in Thornwood, but there’s something to be said about not schlepping out of your home hamlet–and not risking life, limb and well-being of your SUV–in that awfully designed Town Center parking lot.

Slainte, Hawthorne Wines & Spirits.