LAKEVIEW — A longtime computer repair shop and Internet cafe on Belmont could soon be replaced by an "urban, eclectic" wine shop.
Stellar Wine Co., 820 W. Belmont Ave., is seeking a liquor license to create a destination shop, with decorative mirrors, antiques, art and lots of textures and color, owner Luis Ortega said.
Bytes and Coffee Internet Cafe now occupies the building, which is next to an alley.
"You're going to see a real transformation of that corner," Ortega said. "That's my goal."
The wine itself would be affordable, between $10 to $25. About 70 percent of the inventory would be wine, and the other portion would be liquor, craft beer, wine accessories and possibly artisan cheese.
But Ortega doesn't want it to be a corner liquor store.
He won't be selling malt liquors, fruity alcoholic beverages or wine and beer in single servings. The store also won't be offering cigarettes, chewing tobacco or lottery tickets.
For Ortega, the store will be "an extension of what I am," he said.
The former television producer and 18-year Lakeview resident recently decided that he needed to do something different. He loves wine, the "visual appeal" of physical spaces and entertaining people, he said.
He decided to give the wine shop idea a shot.
"It's not going to make me a rich man," Ortega said. "That's fine. I will be happy. I know I will be bringing happiness."
Ortega will be presenting his plan to Triangle Neighbors at the group's next meeting at 7 p.m. May 14 at at the Town Hall Police District community room, 850 W. Addison St.
An employee at Bytes and Coffee said the owner was not available. A bio from the business on the store's Yelp page said that it's been open in the neighborhood since 2002.
For more neighborhood news, listen to DNAinfo Radio here:
