If he builds it, she will stock it.
That’s the premise behind the new wine business Frances Fischer, of Dryden, is trying to establish at the Hunters Ridge Hunt Club, 3921 Barber Road, in Oxford Twp.
And she’s a step closer thanks to a determination by the township planning commission last week.
Fischer is attempting to launch a business called ‘Carpe Vino? (Latin for ‘Seize the wine?) through which her husband Robert Fischer, a finish carpenter, would build private wine cellars in people’s homes.
These cellars would then be stocked by Fischer if the township board and state Liquor Control Commission grant her a Specially Designated Merchant (SDM) liquor license which allows the retail sale of wine and beer.
The wine would be stored at the private 138-acre Hunters Ridge Hunt Club, which has been owned by her brother-in-law David Fischer for more than 20 years.
Fischer, who’s been in the wine and beverage business for more than 30 years, and her daughter Tara Eastin, a certified sommieler, would work together educating clients about wine through in-home dinners and classes.
‘Build, stock and educate? is the intent of her business, according to Fischer.
Although having an SDM liquor license would technically allow the general public access to the hunt club, Fischer made it clear she has no plans to sell wine on the premises to people off the street or put up signs advertising her business there.
‘It won’t be a store per se,? she told the planning commission. Allowing the public in ‘is something that you have to do (with an SDM license), but that isn’t my intent.?
Besides, given the poor condition of the road out there, Fischer told the planning commission, ‘I don’t think I’m going to get too many people wandering in.?
‘Most of my sales will be through the internet,? Fischer told this reporter.
The township planning commission was asked to make a determination as to whether this type of business fits in the agricultural zoning district where the hunt club is located.
By a 7-2 vote, the commission determined the wine business meets the requirements for a ‘home occupation? which is permissible in agricultural zoning.
Some commissioners likened it to selling Tupperware out of a house.
The fact that Fischer’s mother and father-in-law occupy a house on the property and the wine would be stored in a portion of an accessory building (the hunt club itself) also helped convince commissioners to label it a home occupation.
Commissioner Tom Berger favored viewing it as a home occupation because it puts ‘certain restrictions? on the business involving signage and traffic.
‘It seems like we get a little better results that way as far as managing how it can operate,? Berger said. ‘I like the home occupation idea the best. And I think it’s really close to that.?
Included in the approved motion was direction to consult with the township attorney on this determination to, as Chairman Don Silvester put it, ‘make sure that we haven’t overstepped our bounds.?
Commissioners George Black and Kallie Roesner cast the dissenting votes because they wished to check with the township attorney prior to taking any action.
‘This is a little tricky here,? Black said. ‘It’s not cut and dry. There’s a whole lot of gray area.?