Local married couple The Lewis’ and owners of Crush Wine Bar have an energy and love that is undeniable when you walk into their establishment of just over three years strong. Located in a quaint area of The Meadows in Castle Rock, with the mountain range behind them and a view of the city and The Rock peeking from their front windows, Crush Wine Bar is the place that romance is bound to bloom. To say they have become one of the most beloved places to spend time at, is well, an understatement. Anytime you ask someone in the community where they would like to meet, one of the most common responses is, let’s meet at Crush.
I couldn’t help but take this opportunity to learn why people in our community and the entire front range have an obsession and downright passion for Crush. To put it simply, I wanted to know why everyone has a CRUSH on Crush Wine Bar.
After only a few minutes of introductions, I too quickly fell under the spell of James and Nancie Lewis. This lovely couple welcomed me into their business like they were welcoming a friend from their childhood into their home. Immediately making sure I was comfortable, happy, and ready for a nice long chat.
Here are some of the reasons I discovered why if you are not already CRUSHING on Crush Wine Bar you should be:
Reason #1 : The Lewis’ are the Perfect Host
James immediately started asking me questions about my taste preferences, what types of wines I liked and made suggestions on what I should try from the fifty different types of wines by the glass they offer. I was delighted to find out that their wine list is compiled off close relationships of others and represents the efforts of the many families they know and love that operate or import from small vineyards and wineries. Nancie probably asked me a zillion times if I was comfortable, did I need anything, and wanted to ask me as many questions about me and my family because she wanted to get to know me too. I’ve never been asked that when going to interview someone for a story.
Reason #2: They simply want to create the perfect memories for their guests
I asked question after question about their WHY, and it always circled back to their desire to be the place where everyone wants to come to share special moments with others. James and Nancie want to be witness to the firsts in life. The first date, the first kiss, the place where couples get engaged, where friendships are formed and become the place that best friends gang out.
Reason #3: They want to be with each other and enjoy creating a life together
Coming from different careers in the past, The Lewis’ talked about collaborating and wanting to spend as much time as they could together. Building to create CRUSH Wine Bar was a dream come true for them. Nancie spoke about how James and her are such a great team. The stuff James loves to do and the stuff she loves to do are not the same and that makes getting it everything that needs to be done to run their business together easier. I couldn’t help but be intoxicated as they spoke to me. They laughed, finished each other sentences and radiated a connection that they loved what they do.
Reason # 4 Their business plan is simple; Be kind, love, and stay true to who you are and you’ll build a client base that feels the same way you do and be lifelong friends.
The song of we are family, could not be sung louder when in their presence. I listened intently to the story about the art work that James made Nancie out of all the original wine corks from all the bottles of wine opened at their bar. It proudly hangs on a back wall that can be seem almost from every spot. Nancie stared love struck at James when he was telling me the story of making it for her. ( Part of me thought, James should teach a few men about how to create butterfly feeling gifts for their loved ones. )
They smiled ear to ear when sharing stories of couples who had their first dates. The seemed prideful about the couples who got engaged in their little wine bar in out south. Then my personal favorite came from the couple who asked them to share the Butter Toffee Pudding recipe they had on their first date at Crush so they could serve to all their wedding reception guests. Nancie and James recall not even thinking twice in this request and they happily fulfilled this wish for the newlyweds on their wedding day.