MetroBottle Offers White Glove Service, Great Pricing

On the upper west side of Midtown, a 14,000-square foot liquor/wine/beer store has proven that in a crowded, price-driven industry, the winning move is to stock up, get personal, and provide primo customer experiences.

MetroBottle is run by a partnership forged with general manager, Gavin Garner, and real estate developers, Brandon Ashkouti and Gerard Gunthert. Garner, a mover and shaker, credits his attention to detail from his years at the Atlanta Athletic Club where he learned the hospitality business. Recently, Gunthert’s wife, Abby, has become involved at MetroBottle. Originally from New York, Abby, through marketing and social media, has helped steer MetroBottle toward an expanding niche including weddings and b’nai mitzvot.

Garner stated, “Alcohol is a competitive business, but people are still hosting parties.”

That philosophy translates into providing alcohol to all types of events. Business/economic folk lore credits the liquor business as “recession proof” alongside candy, with the thought being: in good times, people buy them to celebrate, in bad times people buy them for comfort and indulgence.

MetroBottle provides a white glove service: delivery and setup, often at better prices compared to those that a customer might piece together on his/her own.

“We can’t just sit back and turn the lights on,” Garner said of the current competitive climate, adding that “a tighter economy has made customers more selective, and that MetroBottle’s lower price points, paired with its personalized service, are what sets us apart.”

MetroBottle strives to not be “a typical liquor store.” It’s aesthetically designed with clean lines, making it “shoppable” and with a classy tasting room. In addition to the bottle shop, MetroBottle recently opened a separate space in the back of the building called BrightSide which offers THC/CBD canned cocktails. This was in response to a demand for providing a popular alternative to alcohol. That’s a smart move. Gen Z and Millennials are the core growth drivers, citing cannabis beverages as a lower-calorie, more-natural alternative to alcohol, without the sugar.

MetroBottle has also built a reputation around bottle signings, hosting appearances tied to names like Riley Green, Terry Bradshaw, Morris Chestnut, and Dominique Wilkins with events that draw collectors and casual fans into the store.

Garner notes on-trend categories that help drive enthusiasm at the store: wine, bourbon and tequila. Garner stated, “Tequila’s appeal comes down to its simple ingredients: agave, yeast, and water, which are cleaner and healthier than many alternatives.”

Bourbon occupies a different niche for its collectability, prized for the golden color which it draws from the dark barrels in which it’s aged, and can take roughly four years to produce a quality bottle.

To serve serious collectors and oenophiles, MetroBottle runs dedicated tequila, wine, and bourbon clubs. Club members receive access to allocated bottles as well as early signups to any events hosted by MetroBotte. The clubs are very popular with surrounding neighborhoods and have become a unique, cool way to bring the community together. The store also participates and volunteers in wine, bourbon, and tequila festivals in which they partner with surrounding restaurants and venues. MetroBottle also hosts weekly in-store classes and tastings.

MetroBottle features a fine selection of kosher offerings, carrying wines from all over the world. Ahead of weddings and mitzvahs, the store holds tastings directly with brides, grooms, and parents, a hands-on approach Abby credits with building long-term loyalty.

Garner said, “Like our customer base, we have a diverse group of investors, several of whom are Jewish. It helps when your investors are some of your best customers!”

MetroBottle’s customer base is a diverse mix which the ownership points to as a “reflection of the surrounding community.” The store employs 20 people, all of whom, Garner says, are “his superpowers,” loyal and hard working.

MetroBottle is located at 2225 Marietta Blvd. For more information, please call 404-963-2225. Online ordering and curbside pick-up are available.