Wine Shop Experts Opening a Nicollet Mall Wine Bar

Haskell’s has been helping to fill liquor cabinets and beer fridges around the Twin Cities since the 1930’s. Now, the liquor store chain is trying something new with Haskell’s Wine Bar, expected to open in September.

The wine bar will be in the middle of Nicollet Mall, around the corner from their 9th Street liquor store, a prime spot for happy hour across from Target’s flagship store. The location was most recently a Dunn Brother’s, which blamed the seemingly endless Nicollet Mall corridor construction for its closure.

Haskell’s will move its popular lunch counter, “Big Cheese” into the new space serving paninis, chilli dogs, salads by day and by evening; gourmet nachos, cheese plates, charcuterie and rotating specials.

Susan-Elizabeth Littlefield / Eater Twin Cities

As for the booze, wine and beer only, no liquor. Brian Ferrell, Chief Operating Officer and son of owner Jack Farrell says, “We don’t want to be a snooty wine bar.” He says glasses of wine will easily go for less than $10. It will also have a rotating list of high-end wine in 3, 6, and 9 ounce pours. As for beers, there will be around 8 beers on tap and an array of bottles.

Farrell says he wants it to be a place people have business meetings and catch up with friends. He says it will have a neighborhood feel.