Words & Deeds

This Boise neighborhood has ‘so much foot traffic’ it’s getting its own wine bar

A neighborhood energized by mixed-use development soon will have a new sipping and nibbling destination.

Skosh Wine Bar plans to open in Boise’s West End. The concept, on track to debut in November, will take over the former Terra Gathering Studio space at 27th Street Crossing apartments, 901 N. 27th St.

Skosh, at 822 square feet, will be “very cozy, very quaint,” owner Michelle Nenov said. And that’s fine. It fits her vision for the wine bar.

“ ‘Skosh’ is a little bit; that’s what it means,” she said. “A little bit of food, a little bit of drink, a little bit of company, in a little area.”

In addition to red and white wine, Nenov plans to offer bubbles (prosecco, champagne, cava) and local draft beer at Skosh. With alcohol-free drinks becoming increasingly trendy, Skosh also will pour mocktails. “We will serve ‘NA’ stuff,” Nenov said, “but we’ll also do liquors that are zero proof.”

Nenov also is co-owner of mobile beverage cart The Bubbly Bar, which specializes in mocktails.

If all goes according to plan, Skosh Wine Bar could open in the first half of November.
If all goes according to plan, Skosh Wine Bar could open in the first half of November. Michelle Nenov

To feed customers, Skosh Wine Bar will offer a menu of small bites: charcuterie, butter boards, light salads and flavored popcorn, she said.

Nenov plans to source bread and crackers for charcuterie boards from Skosh’s neighbor, Glutonia, a soon-to-open bread shop at 27th Street Crossing.

Despite Skosh’s modest size, it has potential to feel like a party. With seating indoors and outside on a “gated-in little patio,” Nenov is hoping for a legal capacity of 50 or more customers, she said. “I wouldn’t put a number on it yet,” she added, “but that’s what I’m thinking.”

A wine cork’s pop away, Alchemist Coffee serves beer and wine across the street. But Nenov sees room for another social destination that stays open a little later.

“There’s so much foot traffic right there,” she said. “It takes you to Quinn’s Pond and things like that.

“I wanted to have something that’s an offering that people can come and hang out and enjoy.”

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Michael Deeds
Idaho Statesman
Michael Deeds is a long-serving entertainment reporter and opinion columnist at the Idaho Statesman, where he chronicles the Boise good life: restaurants, concerts, culture, cool stuff. He started as a summer intern after graduating from the University of Nebraska with a news-editorial journalism degree. Deeds’ prior Statesman roles have included sportswriter, music critic and features editor. His other writing has ranged from freelancing album reviews for The Washington Post to bragging about Boise in that inflight magazine you left on the plane. 
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