New wine bar opening today in downtown Troy

One new business downtown is hoping to serve area residents who are looking for an upscale after-hours social spot that isn’t uptight.

Sips on the Square is a new wine bar that opens today and will offer customers a selection of about 200 wines, along with craft beers, heavy hors devours, decadent desserts and coffee.

“My nerves are not doing well, right now,” laughed owner Lindsay Taylor. “I’m very excited to have people begin coming in to visit.”

Taylor and her husband, Jamie, are no strangers to the service industry. Jamie ventured in first with his purchase of the Double Branch on U.S. Hwy 231.

CLICK HERE TO SEE PHOTOS FROM INSIDE SIPS ON THE SQUARE.

Taylor said it was her husband who gave her the confidence and push to follow her wish of owning a wine bar.

“We stopped by a winery in north Georgia a few years ago and that’s what sparked my interest, my passion,” Taylor said. “I just fell in love with wine and Jaime was the one who said, ‘You can really do this.’ ”

Sips on the Square can seat about 35 people and will be open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Although the business will be available to walk in customers beginning at 10 a.m. on Monday and Tuesday, as well, Sips will be closed those evenings for private affairs.

“We just thought it would be a wonderful space for showers or meetings,” Taylor said.

Taylor said she worked with a specialty vendor to select wines specifically for people in this area. She believes that the muscatos and a red sparkling wine Sips will serve will most likely be the popular drinks on the menu.

Prices for bottles will range between $8 and $80 and wine by the glass will be sold for between $5 and $8.

“We wanted something in everyone’s price range,” Taylor said. “We want everyone to feel comfortable coming in for a unique experience.”

The fare served at Sips will be provided by the Sweet and Savory catering company and will include chicken salad sandwiches, tuna salad sandwiches, pimento cheese sandwiches, meat and cheese trays and several desserts.

Sips provides a warm atmosphere with inviting lighting and rich colors. And the furniture contributes to the feel of the wine bar, as well. The custom cedar tables, chairs and barstools were all crafted by an Amish furniture maker in Tennessee.

“It’s really unbelievable,” Taylor said, surveying the craftsmanship. “He did all of this in about a month.”

There was still plenty to do Wednesday afternoon as Taylor on the wine shipment to be delivered as workers banged away on projects in the back of the bar.

“We may be here all night tonight,” Taylor said. “I may sleep here. But it will be worth it when the first customers come in.”

Johnson said in addition to regular business, Sips will offer at least one special event, such as a wine tasting, each month.

“I am hoping that the people that do come in see that we want to provide excellent service and we want them to enjoy every second of their experience,” Taylor said.

Sips is located at 60 S. Court Street.