Gather Tasting Room moves ‘closer to the downtown core’ in Crystal Beach

This wasn’t the first time Matt Smith and Bianca Silvestri hosted a grand opening to celebrate their business.

On Thursday, the couple welcomed town staff and local dignitaries to their new location of Gather Tasting Room.

The first spot was set up more than a year ago at 301 Derby Road in Crystal Beach.

But they quickly outgrew that space and have moved further south to 395 Derby Road, inching their way into the stretch of the street commonly known as ‘Hot Dog Alley.’

It’s nice to be “closer to the downtown core,” said Smith in an interview with Fort Erie Radio at the grand re-opening, referring to places like South Coast Cookhouse and Utopia Lounge becoming much closer neighbours than their other spot, which was north of Queens Circle.

They specialize in charcuterie boards, Niagara wines, flights, as well as oils and balsamic vinegars made by their affiliate OLiV Tasting Room in Niagara-on-the-Lake, which is Smith’s area of expertise.

Bianca brings wisdom of the wine industry to the table.

“That’s how we bridge our skillsets together,” said Smith.

The couple resides in Welland but saw the potential in Crystal Beach long ago.

“We loved coming to Crystal Beach as tourists,” he said.

Tables are close together on purpose, creating a highly social atmosphere.

“We want locals to talk to each other and share the experience with each other,” he said.

Thursday’s grand reopening was held at 2:30 p.m. and a packed room of customers were treated to the show.

In attendance were Councillors Tom Lewis and Gerorge McDermott, as well as Regional Councillor Tom Insinna, and representatives from the offices of MPP Wayne Gates and MP Tony Baldinelli.

Mayor Wayne Redekop made remarks on behalf of the town, observing how busy the venue was on a Thursday afternoon.

“You’re obviously meeting the needs of your customers,” said Redekop.

“There wouldn’t be so many people here if you weren’t doing that,” he added.

Insinna, who grew up in Crystal Beach, pointed out that his father used to run a barber shop across from where Gather is located.

He said the turnaround seen in Crystal Beach in recent years is remarkable.

“The amount of growth taking place here is just incredible,” he said.

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