After 18 years, Scott Schrope has sold Eola Wine Company, the downtown Orlando wine bar and cafe. The new owners, Paul and Ashley Emery took possession on Wednesday.
Reached by phone Monday, Paul Emery said that things will remain the same at the popular neighborhood meeting spot, at least for the time being. “We have no major plans to change things, we’ll keep it business as usual, keep what’s working,” he said.
He added, “In the short term, most menus will remain the same,” though he’s looking to “add a few more champagne drinks.” And he sees eventually adding more food options.
Emery is the events and marketing director for venues at Wall Street Plaza and says that he will stay on there for now. He said he and his wife had been looking for an opportunity and heard that the wine bar was for sale. “Everyone dreams to own their own place.”
Schrope announced the sale in a lengthy Facebook post Friday. He opened Eola Wine Company with then-co-owner John Walsh in a corner spot on Central Boulevard and moved it across the street in 2012. He also opened a second location in Winter Park on Park Avenue. He sold that location to his bar manager Matt Coltrin in 2014; Cotrin changed the name to the Parkview.
The transfer of Eola Wine Company was seamless, said Emery, and the couple has retained the entire staff.
