Wine Spectator: Legendary New York Wine Shop Sherry-Lehmann Closes

On Thursday, March 9, a customer brought a single bottle of wine to the sales counter at Sherry-Lehmann, the legendary Manhattan wine and spirits shop. The sale was rung up by a rookie salesperson. Then the customer flashed a badge.

He was an enforcement agent for the New York State Liquor Authority (SLA). Acting general manager Lisa Carley was called out of her cubicle at the rear of the shop. She was informed that Sherry-Lehmann’s retail liquor sales license had expired on the last day of February, meaning all alcoholic beverage sales made since were illegal. The agent handed Carley a letter from the SLA ordering the shop to “cease and desist” from any further alcohol sales until it is able to regain its license. Items such as glassware and magazines could still be sold, the agent said, but Carley didn’t see any point to that. She instructed an employee to lock the front door. “I was blindsided,” Carley told Wine Spectator.

Was that bottle the last one Sherry-Lehmann will sell? Is this the end of the road for the 89-year-old retailer, which has been grappling with unpaid bills, unpaid taxes, inventory issues, and lawsuits from angry customers? Wine Spectator has the full story.

Tagged : Sherry-Lehmann, Wine Spectator

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