Toast Wine and Spirits is owned by Paul Hagman and Nick Giancola. Submitted photo

A new wine and spirits store is set to open in Findley Lake in the middle of May.

Toast Wine and Spirits — located at 10365 Main Street — is owned by Paul Hagman and his husband Nick Giancola. The store is set to open on May 13, concurrent with Findley Lake’s Wine Walk, with regular summer hours set for Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m.

Hagman said the two decided to open the store because it was something that the community wanted.

“When we purchased the building last year, we knew that it had previously been the location of a beloved wine store which closed in 2020,” Hagman said. “We very quickly learned from the community that it was something that was missed. Reopening it as Toast Wine and Spirits allows us to expand our love of entertaining and hospitality by providing the community with everything from everyday standards to special occasion wines and all the liquors needed for the cocktails that we love to serve at our own parties.”

Both men have experience and careers in the design industry, allowing them to use this expertise to create the space they wanted for the business. Giancola has used his experience in retail sales as the owner of Spruce Home Decor — with two stores in Ohio and one in the nearby Chautauqua Institution — to give Toast an inviting, boutique feel.

“When you walk in you instantly know that you are in an historic building with as much care given to the experience as to the wine selection,” Hagman said.

Additionally, Hagman said he hopes people will visit the store to receive goodwill and good old-fashioned neighborliness. This idea follows the name of the store, as a toast is meant to be an expression of goodwill.

Toast Wine and Spirits will offer a variety of wines and cocktails, with many options for everyone.

“We carry a broad selection of local and regional wines, as well as California and international wines,” Hagman said. “Customers will find the standard whites and reds, and also plenty of rose and sparkling wines — perfect for an Aperol Spritz on a hot summer day.

“For our cocktail lovers, we carry a variety of spirits and liqueurs to mix your perfect drink at home. Plus, customers can always come to Toast to find a special gift or to place special orders of their favorite wine or spirit for events and parties.”

Toast Wine and Spirits also offers a monthly wine club membership, known as ToastMasters. The club offers two or four bottles of the store’s hand-selected wines each month, along with a three month subscription period for some people who come to the area seasonally. Others are welcome to enjoy the club year round, which will also offer monthly toast and food pairing suggestions.

In the future, the two hope to see more people come to the Findley Lake area and to see more businesses open on Main Street.

“Findley Lake is ‘the coolest little town around’ and we’ve found it to be a welcoming place with a vibrant, engaged business community,” Hagman said. “It’s like our own Stars Hollow. We hope other businesses will see this and consider moving to the area to add to the growing Main Street.”