Patch recently caught up with Lynn Mione, co-owner of The Vine-Wine Bar, which opened its doors officially on May 12, to find out how things were going.  When we last visited with Mione, we were offered a preview of the bar while still under construction.

Like the first meeting, Mione graciously welcomed Patch and immediately offered a tour.  The dry wall has been replaced by freshly painted walls in warm tones, the floors are now laid with dark wood and the bar is topped by sleek granite.

The Vine-Wine Bar, located at 2259 Merrick Rd., now sports smart leather sofa seating, wood tables and chairs, and in the private party room guests can lounge in banquet seating.  Mione seems to have achieved her goal of creating an upscale yet comfortable and inviting décor.

Since opening, the bar has been hopping with customers and Mione is somewhat surprised by the response. 

"It's not what I expected," she says.  "I thought we'd ease into things slowly. It's not been the case.  It's like someone said 'go' and it was game on."

Mione is grateful for that people have found The Vine-Wine Bar especially with no advertising. 

"Happily people in Merrick have found us," she says. "We've had customers who come in initially and then return with family and friends. It tells us that they've been waiting for us to open and that Merrick needs a place like this. I couldn't be happier."

Mione thought that her initial customers would be wine enthusiasts, however The Vine-Wine Bar has attracted many locals from Merrick, Bellmore and Wantagh.

"Friends and neighbors in the community come to visit us," Mioner says.  "It's really nice because we built this place for the community but we thought it would take time.  Many people have told us they read about us on Patch."

Mione says Fridays and Saturdays have been particularly busy.

"I've had to add more tables and a standing bar area to accommodate" she explains.  "We're seeing a lot of girls' nights. Also, we've had five private parties booked ranging from networking events, bridal and baby showers, office gathering."

Has everyone in the community embraced the bar?

At a Merrick Gables Association meeting just weeks after the bar opened, a few people expressed concerns about bar patrons parking along nearby streets–such as Henry Street and Fox Boulevard–taking up spots normally used by residents in the area.

"We're not going anywhere, she's not going anywhere," Gables president Derek Donnelly said at the time of Mione.  "We should work together.  It's going to be a popular place."

Mione acknowledges: "There were concerns originally, but some of our biggest critics have been put at ease. They see now that we're an upscale environment for adults. We're not open until 4 a.m. Parking and noise have not been an issue. We intended to be a place for adults going out for wine and cheese.  That's exactly what's been happening here.  The community comes here.  People even walk here."

Mione makes it a special point to know her clientele.

"I speak to every single person who comes here," she says.  "I ask what they think. What can do different? What can we do better? We're not perfect but we're trying. The response has been mostly positive.  Some things we can do better but we're trying."

Mione believes that a big part of the initial success of The Vine-Wine Bar can be attributed to her staff. One member of the team is Jacklyn Aberbach, who has been with the bar since opening.

"I think this place has a great atmosphere," Aberbach says.  "It's not a chain or fast food place.  It's fun, different and new. When I wait on customers, I try to think about what they would like.  I try to be genuine and know what I'm talking about because customers know when you're faking it." 

Scott (no last name given), a "forty-something" year-old from Merrick, and a repeat customer agrees:  "Each time I've been here, I've felt welcome. The service is friendly and the wine is great.  This is a great place for people over 30 to come and relax."

Julia Jordan, of Bellmore, and Michael Terra, of Rockville Centre, stop for the first time in the bar for a pre-dinner drink.

"We've passed by the place a number of times and wanted to stop by and give the place a try," Terra says.  "When we came in we were right away impressed by the décor. It's a very nice place."

Jordan adds, "I'm planning a trip to Argentina and in preparation, I've been trying to sample wines from the region."

At The Vine-Wine Bar, Jordan and Terra share a bottle of Argentine Malbec.

"It's nice and refreshing to see this kind of a place in the neighborhood," Jordan says.  "It's definitely an appealing place in the community."

Donnelly was right: The Vine-Wine Bar is popular and it's certainly going nowhere soon.