During their first family trip to Italy years ago, Hadley and TJ Douglas discovered a love for wine. Little did they know that this passion would lead them to become the owners and operators of one of America’s biggest Black-owned wine retailers. The Boston-based power couple is now bringing their success to Washington D.C., as they open a new location of their popular wine shop, the Urban Grape, in the Shaw neighborhood.
The Urban Grape’s expansion marks the couple’s first venture outside of Boston, where the business first started in 2010. Their goal is to demystify wine for the everyday buyer, offering a wide selection of 800 bottles from 25 different countries under one roof. The store will showcase the couple’s unique approach to categorizing wines, based on body rather than varietal or region.
TJ Douglas, who began his wine journey as the bar manager of a now-closed restaurant in Boston, developed the Urban Grape’s progressive scale for categorizing wines. This method groups wines based on their body, allowing customers to easily find wines that suit their preferences. The scale ranges from 1 to 10, with 1 representing light-bodied wines and 10 representing the heaviest, most manipulated wines.
The Urban Grape’s approach not only focuses on providing exceptional wines but also on promoting diversity and representation in the wine industry. The store actively includes wines from BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and women winemakers, who often face limited representation on wine shop shelves. The couple’s commitment to inclusivity extends beyond their selection, as they aim to create a welcoming and hospitable experience for all customers.
With their wildly successful Boston store already generating annual revenue approaching $7 million, the expansion to D.C. presents new opportunities for growth. The larger 4,300-square-foot shop in Shaw includes a private events room, allowing the Urban Grape to cater to a variety of wine enthusiasts and host special gatherings. Additionally, D.C. serves as the store’s main distribution hub, enabling them to ship nationwide for the first time.
Shaw was chosen as the ideal location for the Urban Grape’s expansion due to its diverse and connected neighborhood. The couple believes that Shaw’s strong community, along with its proximity to the rest of the city and the business district, aligns perfectly with their concept.
By venturing beyond Boston and into the nation’s capital, Hadley and TJ Douglas continue to pursue their vision of creating a premier wine retail experience. Their dedication to making wine accessible and enjoyable for all has solidified their status as one of America’s leading Black-owned wine retailers. With their expansion to D.C., the Urban Grape takes another step towards becoming the largest Black-owned wine retailer in the country.
As the doors open to their new Shaw location on January 25, wine enthusiasts in D.C. can look forward to a diverse selection, expert guidance, and a warm, inclusive ambiance. Whether customers are seasoned wine connoisseurs or new to the world of wine, the Urban Grape aims to provide an experience that both educates and delights.
