In 1986, John Clerides and his father Andy answered an ad in the newspaper and bought a licence for a wine store from the Mark Anthony Wine Group. With 1,100 square feet to play with, they opened the doors to Marquis Wine Cellars, carrying wine from one British Columbia winery: Mission Hill. Today, the independent wine store occupies 10,000 square feet and offers a choice of more than 2,000 wines from around the world.
Establishing itself in the West End was a no-brainer: the family owned the south side of the 1000 block between Burrard and Thurlow streets. "We knew the West End, as my Dad had been in business there since 1958," says Clerides. He describes the area as a true neighbourhood. "There is a good community feel to it. People care about the businesses there."
The shop serves a dual purpose. On the one hand, it has been built as a destination spot to draw customers into the West End, carrying collectable, high-end wine – many of which are exclusive to Marquis Wine Cellars. However, the shop also caters to the neighbourhood, providing residents with their daily glass. "If the local community didn't support us, we would be in trouble," declares Clerides. He recognizes that his customers work hard for their money and want a good bottle of wine for whatever their budget is. This usually translates to under $20. "We try to listen to them as best we can," Clerides states.
For Clerides, being part of a community also means giving back. Marquis Wine Cellars participates in fundraisers for local organizations such as Qmunity, an LGBTQ community centre in the Davie Village. "They don't get the big funding but they have really dedicated people that need our support," Clerides explains.
Cheers to Marquis Wine Cellars for over 30 years and counting in the West End.
