Today we’d like to introduce you to Mela Singleton and Seldon Peden. Them and their team share their story with us below:
Owner Mela Singleton had the dream of opening a liquor and wine retail store. After talking about it for years, her fiance Seldon Peden began researching the industry and potential opportunities.
After considering purchasing an existing store, the couple decided to create their own liquor and wine purchasing experience. They wanted their customers’ experience to be different and more memorable than any other.
We wanted to be unique in every aspect. We wanted to be an asset to the community. We invested in the aesthetic to be warm and inviting, and attractive enough to host small private celebrations and occasions.
We were determined to build relationships with our patrons … with free public tastings, signature charity events, and adult field trips to distilleries and wineries. We go over and beyond to get those special requests. We will be your personal liquor cabinet.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Our greatest challenges have been adjusting to the supply chain stagnation. We work to remain a better option for the consumer than the big box stores.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
1869 Boutique Liquor Wine is nestled in the heart of Greenville, SC between the historic Nichol town, Gower, and Overbrook communities. We’re a local, family-owned, customer-focused spirits & wine retail brand. Our product offerings include a comprehensive range of whiskey, cognac, vodka, tequila, rums, wine, and champagne. The company provides customers unprecedented access to both luxury and mainstream brands, at reasonable prices.
1869 offers customers a tailored variety of product offerings along with a uniquely inviting alcohol buying experience. The company’s flagship store offers a simple, neighborly, and warm rustic, farmhouse environment, with jazz and r&b playing in the background, and a wood decor tasting room with convo seating.
Aside from our customer experience, we are distinct in other ways. We host a free monthly in-store tasting, as well as private small business and group tastings. Additionally, we’ve built the 1869 Collective, a community of individuals who enjoy unique, one-of-a-kind, pleasant experiences around spirits and wine. The Collective will take an adult field trip to a winery and distillery in alternating years. They will enjoy advance notice of new releases, early entry to monthly tastings, and access to curbside spirit or wine subscription boxes.
Most importantly, we have created 1869 The Foundation. The Foundation hosts our annual Bourbon & Birdies charity event which benefits a local charity each year. This year we donated $750 to the Boys & Girls Club of Greenville County.
We are proud of the brand we are building.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Pam: I was pretty reserved until I got to know you or was comfortable in a room. I was very active and participated in track, band, and beauty pageants. I’ve always been a people person and often the peer advisor and counselor to my friends. I loved attention, the spotlight, and pleasing my parents. I was very determined and loved achieving.
Seldon: I was very active athletically, and uber-competitive. I played football, baseball, and basketball up through high school. I was shy and somewhat laid back but I liked to win and didn’t learn to manage loss well until later. Although I wasn’t loud, I was passionate and liked to lead. I was the student body president in high school. I was a really caring child and was almost protective and defensive over my close friends. I enjoyed being around and playing with friends,
Contact Info:
- Website: In development
- Instagram: @1869blw
- Facebook: 1869 Boutique Liquor & Wine
