SPORTSMAN’S CLOSING — AND REOPENING
Sportsman’s Fine Wines & Spirits in Phoenix is closing at the end of August, but Mark Tarbell, who owns Tarbell’s in the same shopping center at 32nd Street and Camelback Road, plans to reopen it this fall. The Biltmore-corridor shop is known for its stellar selection of wine. Tarbell would continue operating the space as a wine bar with a retail element. He said Sportsman’s has been a special place for many locals, and he feels a responsibility to keep the concept alive. Tarbell will work with his executive chef, Matthew Fenton, to develop a menu for the place, which he expects to reopen around Nov. 1. “I love history and tradition, and there’s very little of that left in Phoenix,” said Tarbell, a wine columnist for The Republic. “(Sportsman’s) has got good bones. It’s the only space in the whole center that’s been there since it opened.” Edward Basha III, president/CEO of Bashas’ grocery stores, announced the closure of Sportman’s on July 17. Bashas’ acquired Sportsman’s in 2007, but plans to expand it never panned out due partly to the recession. He said the company is working to place the 15 Sportsman’s employees in positions at AJ’s Fine Foods. “We discussed this for several weeks, asking, ‘Is this something we believe we can expand in the future or does it make sense to pull back and refocus on what we’re doing?’ ” Basha said. “The decision was made to focus on the grocery side and bring the knowledge and experience (from Sportsman’s) into our AJ’s stores.” Through Aug. 31, wines and spirits at Sportsman’s are 25 percent off.
Details: Sportsman’s Fine Wines and Spirits, 3205 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix. 602-955-7730, sportsmanswine.com. Tarbell’s, 3213 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix. 602-955-8100, tarbells.com.