From the lush plantings outside The Vino Gallery, 4701 McPherson, where Linda Head, mother of proprietor Alex Head, has put her gardening talents to work beautifying the patio area with gorgeous containers and treewells,
to the handiwork of Alex's sister Lara, a 2015 graduate of Webster University, who created an assortment of hand-thrown slab planters and filled them with succulents, shown above, it was interesting to discover the artistic gene runs in the Head family. You wouldn't know the charming planters are for sale when you stop in, so have a look around – they're tucked on windowsills and tables throughout the store. Each one is different and it's very hard to decide on a favorite (small $24, medium, $28, and large $32).
The coffee bar serving Goshen Coffee is staffed from Monday through Thursday by Alex's younger brother, Elliot Head, above, an art student also at Webster University. On Friday and Saturday Billy, a contractor for Coolfire Studios, serves as barrista. Billy said he was hanging out at The Vino Gallery to write most days, so when he was asked if he would be the barista on Friday and Saturday, he thought he might as well. Perhaps there would be some inspiration for his screenplays from making coffee drinks and serving pastries.
One morning when I stopped in for coffee (tip: don't sit in the window if you don't want to be seen – there are a LOT of neighbors who pass by the shop) I photographed a page from Eliott's sketchbook. As we chatted, Eliott said he would love to meet other artists in the neighborhood and envisions hosting gatherings over coffee at The Vino Gallery to share resources and ideas. Stop in when Eliott's there to discuss this idea.
Half of The Vino Gallery space is devoted to art. On view until August 22 is new work by Andy Leicht, above. Gallery manager Matt Pruyn said he is in the process of putting together an exhibition of perhaps 10 to 20 artists sometime in October, and Elliot Head will have 1 or 2 pieces in that show.
The main focus of The Vino Gallery is a wide selection of reasonably-priced wines, which is proprietor Alex Head's focus. Recently I was pleased to discover that after a certain number of purchases at The Vino Gallery you'll receive a discount coupon toward your next purchase. Last week's offering was $5 off a bottle of rose, above. I took home a bottle of Julia's Dazzle, left, because the beautiful bottle was made in the Chihuly workshop, $19 less the $5 discount.
The Vino Gallery, 4701 McPherson, Monday: 8 a.m. to Noon, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., closed Sunday.