Nathan Brickey and Talina Zsido, business owners, enoy a quiet moment in their new venture, Inspire Winebar. (photo by David Grace)
By Ben Jennings
Ben Jennings is co-chair of the A! Magazine for the Arts committee and serves on the AAME board. He is retired from Virginia Highlands Community College.
Interesting food and wine combined with a modern, hip setting surrounded by art — you have the perfect place for a Valentine’s Day date.
When owner Talina Zsido opened Inspire Winebar, Kingsport, Tennessee, in November 2023, she knew more about taking blood pressure and administering IVs than running a bar. Zsido had had a career in nursing and was ready to make a change. She had briefly owned an art gallery in 2009 and was determined to own her own business again. In 2022 she said to herself; “This time next year, I will no longer be working as a nurse, but I will own and operate my own business.”
Inspire Winebar was the result. Zsido wanted to make the business welcoming to all people, not just wine snobs. She says that she is a “wine fanatic,” meaning that another of her early commitments was to support local, regional and small businesses, by showcasing some of the best wines that the wineries and vineyards of the Southeast have to offer.
Since opening just four months ago, Zsido says the business is thriving. “I have been overwhelmed by everyone’s support, especially the downtown community. We hope that our business model will encourage more Kingsport residents to support downtown, local and other small businesses.”
Inspire Winebar offers small plates, ranging from charcuterie and cheeseboards to hummus and feta dips, as well as locally made breads and desserts. Much of the food is locally sourced as well. The business has other drinks besides wine. On weekends they feature mimosa and Bloody Mary flights in addition to regular-sized mimosas and Bloody Marys.
Since they have been open for such a brief amount of time, they are still experimenting with what their clientele prefers. Zsido says, “Wine flights are our most popular menu item. This year we will be having monthly ticketed events where we will have wine pairings. We also hope to feature a small local or regional winery each month.”
This is not a raucous bar with rock bands. “We hope to attract wine lovers, those who want to support small/local businesses, and anyone looking for a uniquely quiet and cozy environment to spend time with those they wish to be able to have a genuine conversation with,” Zsido says.
Besides the food and drinks, Inspire Winebar wants its patrons to feel welcome by having local art on the walls. Zsido says, “When you step into our space, you will experience an inspiring and comfortable environment promoting art and furnishings handmade regionally that may be purchased.”
Zsido says, “We do not want to limit our art to the traditional. We want to highlight various artists, various forms.” Already they have showcased a dozen or so artists and designers, Tonilyn Adams, Angelica Fischer, Brad Gaskill, Susan Newberry, Paul Supino, Kate Tipton and several others.
Zsido says that she welcomes anyone interested in exhibiting at Inspire Winebar to contact her. She is open to exploring any and all ideas for the exhibits. She is also open to an acoustic guitarist or a small jazz ensemble. Local artists or musicians can contact her at inspirewinebar@gmail.com.
Inspire Winebar is at 116 Commerce Street, Suite 101, in downtown Kingsport, Tennessee. They are open on Wednesday and Thursday, 4-9 p.m., on Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., and on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
