Mayor Gary Christenson recently attended the ribbon cutting ceremony of Malden Center Fine Wines located at 220 Pleasant Street. Business Owner Chris Lianos opened his first wine shop in Waltham in 1995. After five years of building his business, he found that Somerville’s burgeoning community had a need for a boutique fine wine, craft beer, and spirits shop so he moved operations to Ball Square in Somerville. He also owns Needham Center Fine Wines in Needham.
Each of the three stores have a distinctive retail concept and Lianos does not seek to compete with large scale liquor retailers. Instead he concentrates on a carefully selected inventory featuring limited production wines, craft beers, small batch spirits and locally produced fresh and delicious gourmet foods. With small-scale twice-weekly tastings and special events, he aims to bring a warm, localized feel to Malden Center. His wife works to design the windows and gift baskets and his mother bakes treats for special events.
Lianos attributes the success of his stores to hard work, listening to customers’ needs, and discovering products that reflect their desires. A hands-on owner, he likes to know and interact with customers personally and trains his staff with a sense of service to customers and community. He is confident that Malden Center Fine Wines will forge a path similar to the Somerville and Needham stores in becoming a true community partner. Both stores have forged relationships with university purchasing departments, corporate clientele, nonprofits, and private persons desiring home delivery. They have also partnered with local restaurants, to sponsor multi-course menus with wine, beer and spirits pairings and participate in charitable events sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce and other groups.
For more information, including hours of operation, to place on order, or for special requests, please visit www.maldencenterfinewines.com.
Pictured (from left): Manager Isaac Harris, Chamber of Commerce Director Joan Ford Mongeau, Sofia Lianos, Mayor Gary Christenson, Owner Chris Lianos, Ward 4 City Councillor Ryan O’Malley, Employee Yishi Li