After more than a month in business, Kinship Wine + Wares is ready to christen its launch in Reston with an official grand opening.
The wine and vintage houseware shop will formally introduce itself to Lake Anne Plaza with a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by the Reston Chamber of Commerce on Thursday (Sept. 17), followed by a community celebration on Saturday (Sept. 19).
The community event will run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and feature wine tastings, live music, snacks and kids’ crafts.
“We’ve been technically open since July 4th weekend but wanted the summer months to serve as our soft opening,” Kinship owner Jennifer Monago told FFXnow by email. “In that time, we’ve learned quite a bit and ready to ‘officially’ open.”
A certified sommelier, Monago worked in political fundraising before shifting careers to retail operations. That led her to jobs with Gap, the furniture chain Restoration Hardware, and local restaurants and bars where she worked in luxury wine sales.
She first took the leap of starting her own business with The Savvy Somm, a wine education and consulting company that offers virtual classes, tasting workshops and wedding consultations, among other services.
Kinship emerged as a natural extension of Monago’s interests in interior design and wine, which she wants to make accessible to everyone, not just a niche audience.
“As for Lake Anne, it was love at first sight,” Monago said when asked how she landed on the Reston village center as her shop’s location. “When my family moved to Reston over 10 years ago, we loved the Farmers market and charm of the area. When a space became available, I jumped at the chance.”
Kinship Wine + Wares is located at 1635B Washington Plaza North, next door to Elden Street Tea Shop, whose owner is a friend of Monago’s, Northern Virginia Magazine reported in July. Opening hours run from 3-8 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. on Saturdays and 1-6 p.m. on Sundays.
According to a press release:
Kinship was created to feel less like a traditional wine shop and more like a warm, welcoming home. Customers will find a thoughtfully curated selection of approachable wines, including bottles from small producers, sustainable vineyards, family-owned wineries and international regions. The shop also offers a small selection of international beers, nonalcoholic options and cocktail fixings.
Beyond the bottle, Kinship features retro housewares and vintage finds, including barware, glassware and other pieces selected for their history, character and style. Gourmet provisions — from hot sauces to other pantry treats — round out the shop’s collection.
Going forward, Monago plans to keep Kinship’s calendar full with wine tastings, educational classes and special events, including partnerships with other Lake Anne businesses, the Reston Farmers Market and local community organizations.
“From hot sauces to cool barware, we have something for everyone,” Monago said in the press release. “I wanted people to feel like they were coming into my home: warm, cozy and wonderful. Wine can feel intimidating, so we’ve designed Kinship to be a place where people can be curious, ask questions and find something they genuinely love.”
Kinship isn’t the only new shop looking to expand the horizons of Fairfax County’s wine scene. Just yesterday (Monday), the owner of MyFlorist in Tysons launched a sister concept, Tysons Corner Wine and Gourmet, in its longtime storefront that champions “uncommon” bottles alongside a curated selection of chocolate, cheeses, crackers and other gourmet foods.
