PARK SLOPE — A recently retired NYPD officer who was "tired of the craziness" at his old job is opening a business where people paint pictures while they sip wine.
Scott Drummond plans to open a Pinot's Palette franchise at 382 Fifth Ave. near Sixth Street, this fall.
“I said to my wife, 'I’m tired of all the craziness that goes with the job,'” Drummond said. "I just want something mellow now in my life.”
Drummond said he's looking forward to running a business devoted to fun and relaxation after 21 years as a police officer, mostly with the 123rd Precinct in Staten Island.
Pinot's Palette is a Houston-based chain with locations nationwide, including two in Staten Island and another opening soon in Dyker Heights in Brooklyn.
Customers sign up for classes where a trained artist gives step-by-step guidance on how to create a painting from the chain's library of pictures. At the end of each session, everyone leaves with a finished piece of art. A typical two-hour class on a Friday night costs $35.
The Park Slope location will have a liquor license and painters will be able to drink beer or wine while they put brush to canvas. Drummond's location will also serve snacks — he's thinking a meat and cheese plate would go well with the wine.
Though the evening classes are geared for an adult audience, Pinot's Palette also has daytime sessions (sans alcohol) designed for children and Drummond chose his Park Slope location because it's close to M.S. 51.
The studio space can also be rented for private events and Drummond hopes to book children's birthday parties, office teams and maybe even groups of police and firefighters.
“You come with your friends, you paint for a couple of hours, you have a drink, you listen to some music — it’s something different to do," Drummond said. "It's perfect for date night.”
