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COLUMBUS – There’s a new restaurant and wine bar preparing to open next week that will bring a new vibe to Columbus – a food and wine experience the owners believe will be like none other in the city.
Earlier this year, Columbus natives Lori Meyer, Christine McBride and Sherry Tucker made the decision to buy the Hotel Colorado and turn it into a restaurant and wine bar after looking to fill a void in Columbus in terms of food and wine. They wanted to bring a more modern approach to the town with their restaurant.
The Magnolia Society, 920 Milam St., will feature premium wines and cuisines. The owners wanted to bring together their vision and insight they have garnered over the years from traveling and other experiences to create a place that allows people to unwind while enjoying a glass of wine or cocktail.
Tucker brings her years of experiences from the restaurant industry in Houston before she moved back to Columbus, Mc-Bride brings her experience from years raising her family in Colorado, and Meyer brings her background in sales to the table which she said has kept her traveling while living in Columbus.
The three believe they have been able to create a collective society of what the Magnolia Society stands for, which invites residents to come together and enjoy the relaxing atmosphere.
Priding themselves on implementing staple world-renowned bottles, and new up-and-coming brands at their restaurant, the owners have Rose Gold on their wine list, which is a rosé from Casey Barber.
Barber, who is from Dallas, said her product is a higher quality grape that is produced in the Provence region of France at a winery in Saint-Tropez.
“20 years ago, this wine category had not exploded in the U.S. like it has in the last seven or so to 10 years here,” Barber said. “So, fast forward, Americans started catching on to what Europeans have known for 1,000s of years, which is dry, pink wine is refreshing and delicious and pairs well with everything.”
Barber, who has been producing the Provence rosé for the last five years, said making the shift from being a stay-at-home mom to being an entrepreneur is a true testament that you can reinvent yourself as many times as you want in life.
“I’ve had to learn truly from the ground up how to run a business and run a business in an industry that is hundreds of years old and dominated by men...the alcohol industry. So, it’s nice to be a part of the women in wine movement and kind of that whole faction of wine.”
In addition to Barber’s wine, the Magnolia Society will feature an array of fine wines and cocktails that would otherwise be hard to find at reasonable prices.
Earlier this year, Tucker said they consulted with Chef Charles Clark, owner of the French Houston restaurant Brasserie 19, when planning out the cuisine for their restaurant. They said he helped influence the menu, wine selections, kitchen equipment, and design layout.
Clark said people who may be passing through the Columbus area after visiting out of the country will appreciate what the Magnolia Society offers.
“There’s ranches everywhere and these people are building multimillion dollar ranches, golf clubs and they have world travel tastes,” Clark said. “So, you come out to the country of Columbus, and they appreciate seeing something like a Provence rosé because they’re drinking it two weeks ago...or in the south of France drinking it in Saint-Tropez, and to see that in there and that quality, I think it’s perfect.”
The Magnolia Society said they have hired Chef Steven Konarek as their chef for the restaurant. The owners said that Chef Konarek has worked for some of the top restaurants in Houston, so they feel honored to have him as their chef.
Prior to the Magnolia Society opening on Thursday, July 6, the owners have found ways to give the public an idea of what the restaurant and wine bar will be like.
On Friday, Jan. 20, Tucker hosted a party at her home that served as a precursor of the Magnolia Society’s vibe in addition to promoting Barber’s wine and introducing Chef Clark.
Those in attendance were able to enjoy music by THEBROSFRESH band from Austin, featuring twin brothers Torrence and Thurman Thomas, originally from the Baton Rouge area.
Last month, during the Magnolia Days Festival weekend, May 19-20, the Magnolia Society served beverages outside.
Even though the wine bar was originally set to open earlier in spring, Tucker said she is glad about the delay because it allowed them to take the process necessary to “do things the right way.”
“It’s been overwhelming, but yet it’s exciting,” Tucker said. “It gives us a time to open up at a slower time of the year during the summer when people are traveling.”
She said that she is grateful that next week will be more of a soft opening.
The Magnolia Society’s hours are set at Thursday and Friday 4-11 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. – 11 p.m., and Sunday 10:30 a.m. to closing.
To learn more about the Magnolia Society or to become a member, visit magnoliasociety. co.
For the latest information, follow them on social media: facebook.com/ magnoliasocietycolumbus and instagram.com/magnoliasocietycolumbus.
