Ari Sadri, a former general manager for the Dedalus Wine Shop group, plans to open La Reprise in Dedalus’ Burlington location at 388 Pine Street by the end of May. Like its predecessor — which Sadri, 58, managed for its final months before it closed abruptly in October after seven years — La Reprise will include a wine store with a small specialty food selection and a wine bar with a full kitchen. Sadri said he plans to launch the retail operation first and then open the wine bar, including the wine garden in front of the building.
Before running Dedalus in Burlington, Sadri managed the group’s Stowe location for three months. That store also closed in October. The fall closures marked the end of the group, which had peaked with three stores in Vermont; one in Boulder, Colo.; and a sister business on Pine Street, Paradiso Hi-Fi.
Sadri said he does not plan on similar expansion for La Reprise. “My goal is to do one thing really well,” he said. “The basics of the business were really good: knowledgeable staff who offer excellent service, treat retail as an extension of hospitality and attach that to a fun wine bar situation.”
Sadri’s long career includes seven years as inn and hospitality director at the Shelburne Farms Inn and 19 years at Warren’s Pitcher Inn, where he worked his way up from breakfast server and part-time line cook to general manager. He is in the process of rehiring some key Burlington Dedalus employees, including chef Brian Popov, market manager Elijah Taylor and wine bar manager Anthony Saltmarsh.
In music, Sadri explained, the French word reprise means “a restatement of an original theme with embellishments and changes.” Accordingly, the physical space and overall concept of his business will recall its predecessor, while he puts his own stamp on aspects such as the wine selection.
At La Reprise, Sadri will offer what he described as balanced and well-made classics from small, independent producers who craft wines “that speak of place.” He is working on a way to honor Dedalus gift cards and wine club memberships.