About Us
Jess
This photo of me was taken in 2020, as I was helping my sister through the end of her life. I used to hate this picture. It represented the grief I felt around my sister's illness, the pandemic, the Trump regime, the way stress had changed my body, and my growing unhappiness in my tech career.
Now when I see this photo, I feel very differently. Sunshine on my cheeks, double chin on point, farm fresh flowers, belt loosened by way of cheese, surrounded by love and good friends. This is what Fat Cat means to me: community, abundance, whimsy, joy.
I started the idea of Fat Cat in the darkest days of the pandemic to distract myself from all the things happening around me. It was a creative outlet and allowed me to dream about all the things I wanted in my future. In 2023, I took a leap of faith and quit my tech job to work at a wine bar, and that risk has made all the difference. Within months I had started my wine club, focusing on underrepresented winemakers, varietals and regions. The club became short term pop ups and catering events, and I began to look for a permanent home for what I hoped would be a real wine bar and bottle shop.
I believe we need community spaces now more than ever. We're all searching for places to make connections, try new activities, get involved, find our people. And no, a wine bar is not going to do that. But I hope that I can imbue the spirit of fullness and simple joys through the wines we share. I hope our patrons can find curiosity in a new region, look for silliness in a glass of bubbly, and be inspired by the unique winemakers we aim to uplift. Finding a home for Fat Cat has been a dream for years, and my team and I are thrilled to open our doors to you.