UPSON'S

"MAYBERRY"

It may not be Mayberry, but the feeling you get

when you shop at a small business is as close as it comes!

The Shadow Knows how to make us smile. As simple as the concept of "Mayberry" - that is the joy of this photo. It's my dog "Riley" seemingly listening to his new friend (the lawn sculpture). I hope it makes you smile too.

A friendly reminder about the dog days of summer. Leave your dog home and not waiting for you in the hot car.

Small independent businesses (like "Upson's") are what makes Kalamazoo Special & Unique from Anywhere on the planet.

Take a moment to think about the towns you travel through. Aren't they all starting to look alike?

But wait a minute, this isn't some "franchise city syndrome", we're just recognizing what the the impact of the subtle & steady loss of small businesses has on a communities identity - and its quality of life. As neighbors, we encourage you to seek out good local and family owned businesses.

Support those businesses who notice you when you walk through the door, greet you, and may even call you by name - it truly will make you feel special and connected to your community. These are businesses who truly appreciate that you are choosing to shop with them. The added value is they know their products, offered with professional advice, and of course the value of service.

Open the door to small business, and step inside - you may just find the warmth and friends of "Mayberry" inside!

ABOUT UPSON'S

We're often asked "How did you get started in the wine business?" The cornerstone of Upson's" is wine. We spent a lot of years being frustrated consumers. If you've ever stood in a grocery store isle trying to figure out if a wine was good (because the label is pretty or the price is right), or felt intimidated because you couldn't even pronounce the name of the wine you were looking for....believe me, we've been there. That's why shopping at Upson's is so comfortable, we've never forgotten those feelings.

Now, 26 years later, there are still wines out there that we don't know how to pronounce "correctly", but what's important to me is the excitement of trying something new. I'm thrilled with every bottle I open (even if it's a familiar one), because I enjoy the process of "meeting it". A wine tells me so much about itself before I even taste it. This introduction is a very important time. I start to slow myself down, and pay attention to what the wine is telling me about itself. We haven't forgotten those early stages of learning about wine, so come talk with us, and we'll help you take it one "sip" at a time.

Well, folks that's story about Upson's. I'll close with the second most asked question; "Who is W. J. Upson?" When we opened in 1982, we named the store for my grandfather "Walter James Upson". He lived his entire life in Kalamazoo, and was well respected in this community. My grandfather died in 1965, and people still mention him. He was an absolutely amazing guy. I'm so honored to have had such a grandfather to name this business after (I've always felt I'd better do a good job, because it wasn't just my reputation on the line, it was his too).

Thanks for visiting our Webshop. We all look forward to seeing you personally soon.

Linda Czapla, and the entire Upson staff.

Charter Member of the Kalamazoo South Westnedge Business Association

Last modified: 01 April 2008