A new local business is bringing a casual wine and dine experience to Gainesville.
Superette Wine & Provisions, a wine bottle shop, speciality market, wine bar and event space located at 1511 NW 2nd St., opened Feb. 12, offering something for everyone in the community.
Co-owners Maya Velesko, 45, and Katherine Haswell, 41, said the opening weekend was full of love and support.
“The feedback we have received has ranged from relief that we have occupied this landmark building that has housed beloved Gainesville enterprises before us and admiration of our build-out and design, in particular the wine garden,” the owners wrote in an email.
Before Superette came into existence, Gainesville staples 2nd Street Bakery and Civilization filled the space. Now the brick building is equipped with bottles upon bottles of wine; a case of cheeses, charcuterie foods and curated daily cuisines; and plenty of ambient outdoor seating.
Guests described it as “a niche that has been missing in our town,” the owners said.
UF Health pediatric speech language pathologist Emily Morales, 26, celebrated Valentine’s Day at Superette. She described her experience as “phenomenal” and said everyone was friendly and helpful, and the cuisine was unique.
Morales and her friends ordered the champagne and oyster special and the meat and cheese charcuterie board. She included that she and her friends also had “lots and lots of wine.”
Morales said the overall experience was “warm and cozy,” making it feel like home.
“The weather was perfect, and the fairy lights hung on the trees provided a magical backdrop,” she said. “There was music playing, people talking, kiddos running around.”
During the Valentine’s Day weekend festivities, Superette gave local floral design business Sweet July Design the opportunity to sell flowers in the shop.
Sweet July Design’s owner, Annie Borden, 32, said she’s happy to have worked with Superette and feels lucky to be a part of the local small business community filled with creative people who share “amazing” food and crafts. Borden said she especially applauds Superette for being the newest addition to this community despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Both Maya and Katherine have lots of experience and are working so hard to make a very cozy and welcoming place for people to come and be,” she said.
Velesko said she and Haswell created Superette for both themselves and the community.
“Having traveled and worked in many different cities, Katherine and I wanted to bring this concept to Gainesville, which we believe has been ready for a space like this for some time,” she said.
With more than 50 years of hospitality experience combined, Velesko said she and Haswell envisioned Superette individually and collectively for many years.
“Our business model is informed by a mutual love of hospitality, good food and wine,” Velesko said, “as well as a deep understanding of how we wish our guests to feel when they enter our space.”
The owners said they plan to incorporate wine classes and tastings, culinary technique classes, pop-ups, collaborations and community events.
Morales said guests like her who like to “eat, drink and be merry” should visit Superette.
“I think it offers a family-friendly space away from the noise and general milieu of Midtown and downtown while also providing a dining experience unlike any other in Gainesville,” she said.
More information on Superette’s complete menu and hours of operation can be found on its website and Instagram.
Kristin Bausch is a third-year journalism major at the University of Florida and a staff writer with the Avenue. Giving people an opportunity to share their story is one of her favorite things about writing. When not writing, she’s probably dancing.
