News

Corner Wines in the News

6 min

Corner Wines in the News

6 min

Making Headlines Across Town

Making Headlines Across Town

Corner Wines owners Jim and Lynda McDevitt are frequently featured in local news for their business, wine expertise and community work.

Screen Shot 2016 08 13 at 4.57.43 PM minFebruary 3, 2016

Plano Profile
COLBEA SMITH – Writer

Ramon and Sandra Guerrero, owners of Meadowlark Vineyards in California, are teaming up with Jim and Lynda McDevitt, owners of Corner Wines in Plano, to host an event on February 11. This wine event gives back to two local Baylor Plano nurses whose homes were destroyed in the December 26 tornadoes.

Dr. Guerrero has been an anesthesiologist in Plano since 1996 and is a partner with Pinnacle Anesthesia Consultants/USAP. Baylor Scott & White – Plano nurses, Christine Frazier (recovery room nurse) and Stephanie Little (operating room nurse) have worked with Dr. Guerrero for many years in the medical field. Unfortunately, the nurses homes were almost leveled during the devastating tornadoes that hit the Rowlett and Garland areas. Once Dr. Guerrero heard the news that these two women lost everything, he thought he would help by creating a fundraising event with a goal of $10,000 to give back to the ladies who have given to so many North Texas families.

Join the Guerrero’s and McDevitt’s on the evening of Thursday, February 11 at Corner Wines in the Lakeside Market Plaza off Lorimar Dr. and Preston Rd. Meadowlark Vineyards wines from the Santa Ynez Valley in Santa Barbara County, California, will be donated by the Guerrero’s and “we’ll be featuring our Double Gold Medal Winning 2006 Syrah and our 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon,” said Dr. Guerrero. The McDevitt’s will be donating the use of their beautiful wine shop and are also donating 100% of profits from Meadowlark Wines that evening. If it is impossible to attend the event in-person, don’t worry, call Corner Wines at 972.403.9463 and give a donation or purchase wine that can be picked up at a later date.

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Photo Credit: Andy Jacobsohn/Dallas Morning News

Dallas Morning News March 10, 2015
By MARY JACOBS Special Contributor

After spending 30 years working with the IRS, Jim McDevitt left the business of taxes to start a wine business. In 2005, he opened Corner Wines, a boutique wine shop in Plano. The Plano Chamber of Commerce honored him as Small Business Owner of the Year in 2013, and his shop was voted the top wine store in the Dallas area by WFAA-TV (Channel 8). He spoke with us about launching a new business at the age of 55.

Why wine?

When I was 21, I worked at a retail wine shop, along with some other young guys, and I started selling and collecting wine. Throughout my career at the IRS, I stayed in touch with those friends and collected wines. From time to time, I’d think, “Wouldn’t it be fun to get back into the wine business?”

The idea of opening a wine store came when I started thinking of retiring. My co-workers said, “Oh, so you’re going to finally realize your dream.” I said, “Really? I’ve been talking about it all this time?” Apparently I had.

You’ve been married for 37 years. How did your wife react?

I wanted to do this more than she did, but she has been supportive, and has learned more about wines than she ever wanted or expected to. Now she is the personality of Corner Wines. As our daughter would say, she could talk to roadkill.

Did you have any advantages by virtue of starting a business at a later age?

When we opened the store in 2005, the liquor laws had just changed, and a number of other wine stores opened in the surrounding area at the same time. Of all of those, we are the last one standing. I think it’s because of the background and the contacts I had in the wine business, and because of the service we provide. We try every wine before we bring it in.

When we opened the store, because of my background and my wife’s — Lynda was a tax auditor — we knew the business side better than some people who get into new ventures. Also, as retired federal employees, we had a pension and our health care was covered. We had no debt. We never had the pressure of where we had to sell x number of bottles to pay our mortgage.

Why start something new? Why not retire and enjoy yourself?

In 2005, I said, “Here I am 55 and I still feel like I’m young. I have this opportunity to go into an area I loved. Why not try it?”

Little did I know that I’d be putting in twice as much time as I did at the IRS. You clean the floors, you do everything. For the first three years we never took a vacation. Because that’s what you have to do to make it work.

Any unexpected benefits?

This place is a little like a bar, like Cheers. We’ve developed a whole new group of friends because of the wine store who will be friends for life.

Looking back, is there anything you’d do differently?

I would have had a better, more concise marketing strategy. We have done every type of marketing you could think of and most of it has not paid off.

Was anything more difficult because you were older?

The physical aspect. I’m moving around 40- pound cases of wine. The first year we were open seven days a week, and when you’re on your feet eight to 10 hours a day on concrete, it takes a toll. It took a long time to where I was comfortable doing that.

Any advice for others starting something new after age 55?

Put together a solid business plan. It’s easy to be too optimistic. Double your estimate of expenses and cut your estimated revenue in half.

Keeping your mind active is critical. I can talk about every one of the 450 wines we have in stock. I think that doing this helps delay the onset of old age. If something sounds interesting, I say, “Let’s try it.” We started taking trips (to wine-producing regions) with customers because our customers asked for that. We had a tasting recently where we paired up bacon with wine. We never put that in our business plans.

Finally, no matter what age you are, keep on dreaming.

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Published Jul 1, 2016

2016 Dallas A-List Results Specialty Food and Drink Wine Shop – Best of 2016

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Corner Wines – Winner 2016  (#1 of 23)                     Corner Wines- Winner 2015 (#1 of 22)
Corner Wines- Winner 2014 (#1 of28)
Corner Wines- Winner 2013 (#1 of 26)
Corner Wines- Winner 2011 (#1 of 24)
Corner Wines- Winner 2010 (#1 of 22)

Link to article (Article no longer available.)

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Photo: Plano Chamber of Commerce

Plano Chamber of Commerce Best of Plano Event, 2013

Saluting the accomplishments of small businesses and the contributions they make to our area’s economy, this award lauds a business owner who has exhibited exemplary leadership, business growth, and service to the community.