Good Grapes on the market as owner waves goodbye

If Good Grapes goes on, it will be without founder Theresa Lucas.

Lucas has closed the Winnetka shop and put the business up for sale, as she seeks a buyer, she told The Record.

Lucas opened Good Grapes, a shop specializing in boutique wines, in Glencoe in 2008 and moved it to a corner storefront at 821 Chestnut Court in Winnetka six years later.

After a decade in Winnetka’s West Elm business district, Lucas said she is “worn out” and looking for something new.

“It’s all good,” she said. “I’ll move on and figure out what my next chapter is. It’s not retirement. It will all work out hopefully.”

Factoring into Lucas’ decision were recent Village of Winnetka decisions. While she declined to specify any particular changes, Lucas said doing business in town had become more difficult.

Her last day at Good Grapes was New Year’s Eve, when plenty of regulars dropped by for a farewell visit. The experience, she said, was in line with what had made Good Grapes so successful.

“New Year’s Eve was overwhelming with the number of people who came in,” she said. “I was shocked and it was a little emotional and overwhelming and it was great.”

Lucas, who lives in Chicago’s Old Town neighborhood, is not the only familiar face customers wanted to say goodbye to.

Mick, Lucas’ gentle 10-year-old mixed-breed pooch, was Good Grapes’ second in command and was quick to greet visitors.

“For Mick this will be more challenging than for me,” Lucas laughed. “He’s so spoiled. He thinks everyone is here for him.”

As of press time (Wednesday, Jan. 7), the future of Good Grapes was unknown. Lucas reportedly has connected with potential buyers and hopes the shop stays alive.

And if it does, she said success lies in “unique offerings.” Good Grapes’ inventory has always included difficult-to-find wines from small- and medium-sized vineyards.

“I am confident Good Grapes will still be here,” she said.

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