Cherry Republic’s full-size wine bar is now open in downtown Ann Arbor

ANN ARBOR, MI - Cherry Republic in downtown Ann Arbor has officially expanded its footprint with its full-size wine bar.

Cherry Republic, 223 S. Main St., doubled its Ann Arbor location after taking over the storefront that formerly housed Anneke's Downtown Hair at 221 S. Main St. The hair salon closed in March 2022 after more than 30 years in business.

The expansion officially opened on Oct. 17 and gives customers a total "wine bar experience," to taste all of the options that Cherry Republic offers, said Rita Dudek, Ann Arbor's store manager.

Related: Cherry Republic to see full-size wine bar as part of Ann Arbor expansion

"Customers have been super excited to come on in and try our products or get like a glass of wine while they shop," she said. "We're really hoping (this expansion) just brings more people in."

Ann Arbor's Cherry Republic always offered samples, but this new expansion gives customers another spot to try wines and more room for customers to walk through the location. Wine tastings will cost customers $9 to try six of the roughly 20 wines offered.

The store carries all of the wine samplings in bottles so customers can buy a wine they really love, or they can just come in for a taste.

The wine bar offers customers a chance to order wine flights, rotating flavors for wine slushes and glasses of wine to enjoy in the store or as part of the downtown social district. There are also non-alcoholic soda slushes and eight sodas on tap for those who aren't 21 years or older.

Dudek said the Ann Arbor location has some ideas for its wine bar in the future. One deal going on right now through Thanksgiving is its happy hour from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday where wine tastings only cost $5.

"We're really excited and we're also thinking about the summer and that it's going to be a very popular spot to come to when people are out in Ann Arbor," she said.

This has been a project that has been in the works for years now. Dudek said it's very exciting that people can finally experience this expansion. She's just ready for Ann Arbor to realize the wine bar is now open and ready for business.

Cherry Republic's current hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. These hours are only through Thanksgiving and will change for the holiday season. Learn more on social media or by phone at 734-585-5231.

Ann Arbor" daily newsletter.