The Savvy Sipper opened officially last week in a space that holds personal history for its owners: the former Emanar Cellars, where co-owner Keary Niarkos worked for three years before purchasing the business.
The June 11 ribbon cutting with the Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce marked the official public launch for a business that had quietly opened its doors earlier this spring.
Trent and Keary Niarkos, owners of The Savvy Sipper, opened the lounge with the vision of providing a cozy place for local residents to relax with loved ones, experience specialty cocktails and gourmet bites for grazing in a vintage-themed setting.
“It’s been a dream of ours for about six years to open a cocktail lounge that recreates the experience Keary and I enjoy when we go out,” Trent said. “We want to introduce people to classic cocktails and cocktail culture and help them understand what they're drinking.”
The space offers beer from local establishments Everybody’s Brewing and Barrel Mountain, a collection of Spanish wines, and spirits from Vancouver-based Quartz Mountain distillers.
The food menu includes sandwiches, salads, charcuterie and other small plates. Their bread is sourced fresh from Al & Ernie’s Bakery Café down the street, rounding out the local partnerships that are important to the Niarkoses.
As the Niarkoses searched for a spot to open their lounge, they had repeated leases fall through, putting their dream on pause.
When Richard and Mar Meyerhoefer, owners of Emanar Cellars, announced their retirement last year, they floated the idea to Keary: “What if you bought this place?” That simple question led to the ideal answer to the Niarkoses location search and set in motion the 10-month process that ended in last week’s ribbon cutting.
“Emanar Cellars was a beloved local gathering spot, and we plan to keep their legacy alive with what we’re doing,” Trent said. “We’ll continue to serve Enamar wines made by their wine maker, with a legacy label available later this summer.”
Patrons will be served their wine in glasses purchased from Enamar, keeping them as part of the experience.
The ribbon cutting was attended by approximately 25 locals.
Janet Kenefsky, chief operating officer for the Greater Vancouver Chamber, said that she was encouraged to see not just residents, but business owners from other parts of the county come out to support The Savvy Sipper for the occasion.
“The attendance from around the region goes to show that there are great reasons to explore new businesses throughout the community,” Kenefsky said.
“Ribbon cuttings are the first opportunity for a new business to connect broadly with their community, and using the chamber’s megaphone and reach to spread the word helps give them visibility and tell them, ‘We’re glad you’re here,’” said Kenefsky.
The Savvy Sipper is open Wednesday through Thursday from 5-9 p.m. and Friday through Saturday from 5-10 p.m. and is located at 113 SE Rasmussen Blvd. in Battle Ground. There will be live music on select Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays throughout the summer.
For more details, visit savvysipperbg.com.
