Date: Fri 17-Apr-1998

Publication: Bee

Author: SUZANN

Quick Words:

House-of-Spirits-Bizier

Full Text:

House Of Spirits Plans To Emphasize Wines

(with cut)

When Judy and Maylo Bizier took over Newtown's House of Spirits last December,

they decided that their store needed to carry a larger selection of wine. Thus

far, the Biziers have ordered more than 40 new wines; they have also become

avid readers of Wine Spectator , the wine aficionado's magazine, and they

attend wine tastings regularly. Their goal is to supply customers with even

more variety. "But I'm still trying to figure out what customers want," said

Mrs Bizier.

The Biziers are also stocking their store with the merchandise of local

vineyards. "There are a lot of good wines that are offered locally," said Mrs

Bizier, who studied wine while in culinary school in New York. "I want to

support other local businesses." To that end, she says that she avoids

patronizing large outlets, preferring to shop and eat in small places. "People

get to know you," she said.

A native of Yonkers, N.Y., Mrs Bizier is not a stranger to managing a

business. She continues to manage Pizza Hut in Brookfield, where she has

worked for ten years. Accustomed to long hours, she has opened several Pizza

Huts in this area, often sleeping at the restaurant before beginning a new

shift. "I'm used to crazy hours and different schedules," Mrs Bizier said.

Working more than 100 hours a week has not been uncommon for her.

The transition to House of Spirits has brought new challenges.

"Ordering is the most difficult part of the business," said Mrs Bizier. "One

has to know the Connecticut State laws on liquor as well as keep up to date on

specials." Whereas at Pizza Hut she orders on a schedule via computer, here

ordering is ongoing, nearly every day. Mrs Bizier believes that skill in

ordering helps keep prices reasonable.

Deliveries, often more than 140 cases, occupy the better part of Mrs Bizier's

Monday while the middle of the week is spent ordering from nine different

distributors and visiting with salespeople. Mrs Bizier says that often it is

hard to predict what to keep in stock. "Certain things we'll stock well and

heavy," she said. "But others just go day by day."

While she works long hours, Bizier gets plenty of help. The House of Spirits

is a family endeavor. Mrs Bizier's father, Joe Szanti, runs the store four

days a week while she manages Pizza Hut and her husband works construction. Mr

Bizier runs the store at night, often putting in more than 90 hours a week.

Sunday is a family day and even the couple's five-year-old son, Christopher,

helps organize and clean the store. Occasionally, when he comes to the store

on weekdays, Christopher acts as doorman for his mother's customers.

Despite her hectic schedule, Mrs Bizier stressed the importance of spending

time with one's children. "My time is Christopher's time, period. I want him

to have my undivided attention," she said. An American of Hungarian descent,

she has been introducing her son to her heritage, including the language,

while her husband has been teaching him French-Canadian traditions. Mrs Bizier

noted that between managing two businesses and caring for her son she is

fortunate both her parents and in-laws live close by.

Mr and Mrs Bizier see House of Spirits as an opportunity they should take

while they are still young. "This requires more time as both of us are still

working other jobs," Mrs Bizier said. "But it is a decent business." It is

also one, she adds, in which a couple can learn and grow together.

She most enjoys waiting on customers. Adhering to the notion that people will

treat someone well if they are treated well, she says that she enjoys

interacting with her customers. She makes it a point to remember not only

their names, but their favorite orders.