Charlotteans have another reason to visit Dilworth — Emmy Lou's, the wine-focused shop by Customshop's Andres Kaifer and Alex Bridges, will open Friday, Dec. 19 at The Courtyard along Park Road. The new hangout will offer 300+ wines, beer + wine on tap, non-alcoholic options, shareables, and desserts.

Emmy Lou’s will double as a bottle shop with curated wines, reusable totes, and a laid-back vibe meant to make wine feel approachable and fun. Inside, guests can settle at the bar, a corner banquette, communal tables, or the patio, weather permitting. The cozy neighborhood spot will also debut a menu led by Chef Adriana “Dre” Cavazos, Customshop’s longtime pastry chef turned Chef de Cuisine.

"We tried to create a welcoming, hospitable environment that has really good wine and serves good food, but it's not pretentious," Bridges exclusively told CLTtoday.

Expect to find a variety of wines and beers available by the glass, bottle, and on tap. | Photo by CLTtoday

Kaifer and Bridges said the opening feels like a milestone years in the making, and they are ready for Emmy Lou's to become a third place in Dilworth.

"We'll have a rotating wine selection. We'll never stop changing what we do by the glass, but we're not Italian-focused, we're not French-focused, we're not California-focused. We're wine-focused," added Bridges.

Bridges added that the project is personal for him, naming the restaurant after his wife, sharing, “I truly could not have done this without her — she’s been my biggest supporter through my career.”