Jesse Haik and Dan Gonzalez know a thing or two about good food and drink. In 2022, they launched Pennsylvania Rye Company (shortened to PA Rye Co.) in Downtown Allentown, which quickly became a popular destination for quality dishes and an extensive bar menu, including more than 100 whiskeys, bourbons, and, yes, ryes from Pennsylvania. The duo has since expanded into the space next door to PA Rye Co. with their latest venture, The Bottle Shop, selling local provisions and beer and wine to-go. Haik shares with us the background and newest developments of their business.
Tell us about the journey of opening your businesses.I received a phone call from Dan, who had run into someone that worked with City Center in Allentown. He asked Dan if he was interested in opening a bar or restaurant in the old Grain space at 536 Hamilton. Dan asked if I was interested and I definitely was—I had been looking for commercial space in New Jersey near where I live. Dan and I kicked around the concept for a week until we solidified the idea of PA Rye Co. Things moved pretty quickly after that. Dan and I did most of the renovations ourselves; everything but the bar top and electrical, really. We connected with staff we had worked with in the past, and they brought more good staff with them. We got the place open and listened to our clientele, catering the menu to our audience. Once PA Rye Co. was stable, we opened The Bottle Shop.
Tell us about how The Bottle Shop came to be.
The Bottle Shop really came from the space being vacant or unused. City Center asked us to take on that part of the property, and at first we were reluctant, but we decided to take a chance and basically open a secondary business.
What decisions go into sourcing your wines and beers?
Our clientele tells us what they want to see, and we source the highest quality at the lowest price that we can find in the market. Of course, there are some menu items that we just truly believe to be stellar products, like Turley, Ridge, Martinelli, Orin Swift, Pine Ridge, Ramey, I could go on for days. We also attend all of the grand portfolio tastings that we can for the wine distributors that we work with. Things that stick out for that season or have great vintage releases we invest in.
What kind of events does The Bottle Shop host?
The last event we hosted was a celebration of oyster season that we call Oyster Fest. It’s all-you-can-eat oysters on the half shell and as much champagne, Crémant, Sancerre, Muscadet—or whatever you want, really—as you like. We also do some wine and cheese tastings, and we’re planning more events soon.
What can patrons find in The Bottle Shop besides wine and beer?
We also sell local cheese, the same that we sell in the restaurant. We feature local cheese producers like Valley Milkhouse, Bobolink Dairy & Bakehouse, Valley Shepherd Creamery and Cherry Grove Farm. They make some super-fun cheese and they all are awesome quality. We also carry some classic accompaniments to cheese and wine like pickled vegetables, olives and dried figs. We do have some international cured meats, like prosciutto and Spanish jamón, and we sell glassware as well.
What is something your customers might be surprised to find in your shop?
It depends on the customer when it comes to surprises. Wine lovers lose their mind when they see the highly allocated wines like Turley, Keever, Alain Graillot, Orin Swift and Premier Cru Burgundies. People into health are always pumped about the zero sulfites and natural wines we carry. The locals are excited about the high-quality products for great prices like Les Dauphines Côtes du Rhône for only $17 or Francois de La Roche Touraine for $21.
What do you love about your location?
I love that we are across the street from the Americus Hotel, Pizza Mart and Kyle’s. Assembly88 is next door, and Tacos Y Tequila is on the other side. These businesses are well established and create great foot traffic. The 500 block of Hamilton is poppin’!
How does The Bottle Shop complement PA Rye Co.?
If you like a wine or beer we carry at PA Rye Co., you can grab some on your way out at The Bottle Shop as well—our inventory is used for both sides. The more fun things that show up in The Bottle Shop, the more fun stuff we get to have at PRC.
Any customer favorites in the shop?
There are so many, but when it comes to wine, customers really love the Le Trois Neveux sauvignon blanc, the Evening Land Salem Wine Co. pinot noir and the Bellenda Enoteca AD bianco frizzante. Popular beers are La Trappe Tripel, Lord Hobo Boomsauce and anything from Tired Hands Brewing Company or Funk Brewing.
538 Hamilton St., Allentown | 484.602.2570 | the-bottle-shop.com
Published as “Get the Goods” in the February 2025 edition of Lehigh Valley Style magazine.
