GOAL ACHIEVED, THANK YOU! 

Welcome to Archives Wine and Spirit Merchants.

It is almost impossible for independent drinks makers to get shelf space at the LCBO or Beer Store.  The process is expensive, time-consuming, and designed to favour global brands. As a result, Ontario's best wine, beer, cider, and spirits are hidden from 99% of customers. Meanwhile, local producers  can't make a profit  and often  abandon their dreams. And though we now have private bottle shops, the few large ones mostly focus on higher-margin imported wine. 

Ontario producers need a champion.

Ontario's drinks industry is like an iceberg; you may know the large global brands but you probably haven't discovered local producers like Black Bank Hill, Lincoln County Cider, or Ev's Eclectics.

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From our space in St. Catharines, Archives Wine & Spirit Merchants will change the industry, becoming the first full-size bottle shop and urban tasting bar focused on independent, local drinks.  And we'll deliver right across Ontario through our website, myarchives.ca

Here, you can try a glass of mead before picking up a 4-pack, grab a pint as you peruse the shelves, or share some wine with friends before recorking the bottle to take home. Archives will be part tasting bar, part bottle shop, part neighbourhood hangout. We'll also be the physical space many small producers don't have, where they can launch products, hold tastings, and sample their offerings without the immense costs and bureaucratic hassle of the LCBO. 

Uncovering unique new releases, like this small batch Dornfelder from Drea's, is the best part of our job.

Who's behind Archives?

The opposite of monopoly; Robbie (L) and Jordan (R)

No bureaucrats or business suits here. We're Robbie Raskin and Jordan Epstein, two friends in our mid-20's who've thrown our savings into pursuing this dream. Robbie's originally from Toronto and Jordie's from Sydney, Australia! Before this opportunity presented itself, Robbie was working at a Niagara winery and preparing to launch a boutique whisky brand (which he couldn't sell under Ontario's monopoly, of course). Best-mate Jordan divides his time between his day job in finance and a startup he's launched focused on sustainable food.

We've already built it:

Characterful bottles, characterful bottle shop. We're uncovering and restoring over a century of history in the shop

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We leased 39 James Street last November and restored its century-old wooden fixtures, adding modern systems underneath, and creating a clubhouse vibe where guests (not customers) can linger. 

Through passion rather than bureaucracy, we're building an alternative to the monopoly. We've been waiting a looooooong time for building permits, so in the mean time we've opened The Farm Gate, a locally-focused popup shop. Meeting the community been tremendously fun but our plan hasn't changed; we want to open Archives and bring the drinks community with us.

The Archives Cask Society will connect members with captivating insider experiences like tastings in Niagara cellars.

Construction during the week, gourmet shopping on the weekend.

Now open with gourmet food items, the shop is nearly ready for alcohol. We've completed inspections, applied for our licences, and are nearly ready to open the bottle shop. All that's left is to construct accessible washrooms and a new exit in the back. And of course, a couple finishing touches - we're thinking a drop ceiling made of barrel staves for our tasting lounge.

Together, we can put the finishing touches on Archives. What do you think about a dropped ceiling of charred barrel staves here?

Why do we need your help?

We've already completed the required inspections, met with the AGCO (in charge of liquor licencing), built out the shop, and forged great relationships with local producers. We just need to finish the washrooms and a second exit to get our municipal signoff - the last step toward a liquor licence.

Together, we can build the change Ontario's drinks scene deserves. Thank you for your consideration!