When opportunity comes knocking, it often is best wise to open the door.

That is exactly what co-owners Tony Blevins and Paul Cox will be doing, opening the door to Sip at their official grand opening, which takes place tonight, Friday, from 5 - 9 p.m.

Located at 225 W. Main St. in downtown Elkin, the grand opening coincides with the June Fourth Friday event and will feature a wine tasting from Grassy Creek., along with heavy hors d'oeuvres and musical entertainment.

For a number of years, the partners had long dreamt of the idea of opening a combination wine and coffee shop.

"Paul and I toyed for years of doing something in Elkin, because of the great downtown atmosphere. and the growing wine industry (in Yadkin Valley and Swan Creek)." said Blevins. "I was at Brushy Mountain for one of my weekend wine tours. In the course of conversation, I found this spot was available."

That spot was the former And Wine 2 shop.

Blevins then called on Cox and said to meet for lunch, where he relayed what he had discovered, and that perhaps this was the opportunity they had been seeking.

"I said, sure, let's run with it," said Cox.

Cox was further convinced when he had the opportunity to view the site. One of the aspects that particularly grabbed him was the "ambience" of the place. He was (and is) completely enthralled by the exposed brick interior.

From there it was a matter of getting the logistics in place, such as negotiating, getting financial assistance and related matters. Afterwards, it was getting the place ready, which they have been doing the past six weeks, according to Cox.

Much of the work that lay ahead of them was cosmetic in nature. However, a more ambitious project was the construction and erection of a deck in the back, which it is hoped and believed will be ready for today's grand opening.

Another preparation was acquiring varieties of wines to offer for purchase. For Blevins, one of the key attractions was the opportunity to carry extensive local wines and augment it by including wines from around the world. In fact, one of the areas of expertise for Blevins is the ability to acquire for clients boutique wines as well as hard-to-find collectible wines, which can run into the hundreds and thousands of dollars.

Not that unusual

Both Blevins and Cox have been asked whether a combination wine and coffee shop makes sense. They said it is not an usual combination.

"There are more coffee and wine shops popping up nationally," said Blevins. "Coffee is not unlike wine."

By that, Blevins meant the two beverages have much in common, especially perception. Many people, he said, are afraid of each. To them, buying either wine or coffee can be an intimidating process. However, he counsels people that buying wine or coffee is no different from buying soda. Carbonated beverages, he said. are all different. It is the same with coffee and wine.

At the same time, Blevins acknowledged that a lot of people are afraid to buy a quality wine or coffee because they do not want to come across as unsophisticated. Toward that end, hosting wine tastings and seminars will be one of a number of features Sip will conduct at intervals.

Don't forget about the coffee

Neither Cox nor Blevins want current and future patrons to forget that Sip also is a coffee shop that also serves smoothies. Whether just a regular coffee, or cappucino or latte, all and more will be available.

"Our house blend is Seattle's Best," said Cox. "It's what people have wanted the most here."

However, if clients prefer different blends, Cox said he and Blevins will get it for them. Both men want people to come into Sip and "feel at home."

"There's free Wi-fi at Sip," said Blevins.

With the Wi-fi and the ambience, patrons are invited to hook up their laptop computers and stay as long as they wish.

"We've actually had people do that, spend the entire day," said Cox. "We want people to come to 'wine' down and relax — and that is a play on words."

Events

While there will be wine tastings from local vineyards and wineries, there will also be wine tastings for international wines, as well as those from California.

Plans are in the making for there to be mini-seminars and classes in wine appreciation guest experts will conduct. Also in the works in upcoming months will be events such as movie nights and local entertainment.

Although open only several weeks, Sip has already booked one private party. It also is catering the wine for a wedding.

About Sip

As for the name itself, Cox credits Blevins.

"It's intriguing," said Cox. "Tony was browsing through a magazine and the first word in the article was, 'Sip.'"

Although the grand opening takes place today, Friday, June 26, the shop has been open the past four weeks.

It currently is open 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Expectations are high that with time, business will warrant later hours as well as being open on Saturdays

"We want to build this shop as a destination spot for downtown Elkin," said Blevins. "There are great wines and wineries in this area that we love; great people making great wines that we want to be associated with."

Anyone wishing more information may call 817-3893, or visit: www.andwine2.com