Wine connoisseur? Perhaps. Lover of Ohio City? Absolutely.

Joy Valentine has managed the well-established Market Avenue Wine Bar for over 15 years. “Since August 1st, 1995,” she recollects.

Like so many local business owners, professionals and entrepreneurs, Joy is also an Ohio City resident of 14 years.

Originally from Fairview Park, she attended Laurel School growing up. After deciding that her Jewelry and Metal Design major at Kent State University was going to be more of a hobby, rather than a career, Joy switched directions and focused on bartending school instead.

Before finding her calling in the wine industry, she impressively held eleven different jobs at once, which included delivering newspapers, venturing into the catering business, painting and working at Blossom Music Center.

Joy knew nothing about wine before starting her management position at Market Avenue Wine Bar; everything she knows, she has learned on the fly.

As I sat down with Joy for this inter-view on a Wednesday afternoon, the phone was ringing nonstop, visitors and business associates were coming and going, and the wine bar wasn’t even open yet. “Welcome to my Monday,” she joked, explaining that she works Wednesday through Sunday, every week.

What makes you come to work?

It’s the clientele; we have such a great group of people coming here… and the wine, too. But it really is the people. There are regulars, newcomers, aficionados, restaurant workers, college students, people from every age group and all walks of life.

What sets Ohio City’s Wine Bar apart from other establishments?

It’s still a cozy, comfortable place. It seems like bars and restaurants tend to get bigger and bigger and louder and louder. This is a place to have conversation with somebody, relax and enjoy a nice glass of wine, not stare at 12 TVs

What’s your favorite wine?

My favorite wine is the next wine; I’m always looking for something new. Our menu adjusts with the season: every month or so, the assortment of the food and wine varies.

What do you love about Ohio City?

There’s great dining and drinking. The community has evolved with the people, but the one thing that is permanent is the West Side Market. That’s the core of the neighborhood, and that’s the thing that keeps people coming back here. The old architecture is great, and I just love how the neighborhood flows.

How have you seen the neighborhood change?

Some people think that the neighborhood is so busy right now; it’s not like this community sprang into being overnight and there was nothing here before… I remember Babylon A-Go-Go,
where Flying Fig is now. I saw Smash-ing Pumpkins for free there in 1990. I think the Wine Bar has been an anchor in the area, and has survived the trends and changes of the neighborhood.

Besides wine, what other hobbies or interests do you have?

Property ownership and gardening. I love music, but unfortunately I’m not able to catch a lot of concerts because I work weekends. I also enjoy travelling: I’ve been to Russia, China and Spain through my time at Laurel. I’ve also travelled to Italy, England, Denmark, Norway and Mexico, and I’ve been to every state in the country except Washington, Oregon, Alaska and Hawaii. I’m planning a trip to Seattle’s wine country in April, so I’ll knock out Washington and Oregon then. My parent’s 50th anniversary is next year and we’re putting together a trip to Australia, New Zealand and possibly Japan as well.

Now, for a little ‘this or that’: nighttime or daytime?

Nighttime.

Cake or ice cream?

Yes.

Spring or fall?

Fall because I love Halloween and Day of the Dead, the crisp air and the crunchy leaves, fire and the way it smells in the fall… my birthday, I’m an October baby. I love the fact that I get to put my yard to rest for a hot minute and relax a little bit.

What should we be looking forward to at the Wine Bar?

Patio weather!

Anything else you want to say about Market Avenue Wine Bar?

I love it. If you haven’t been, come. And if you have been here a few times, come again anyways.

Market Avenue Wine Bar is located at 2521 Market Avenue and is open Sun-day through Friday from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. and Saturdays from 12:30 p.m. to 1 a.m.

For more information,
call 216.696.WINE(9463) or visit
www.marketavenuewinebar.com.