18 Beverage Dynamics • May/June 2015
www.beveragedynamics.com
Martin Wine Cellar gives new meaning to the
term "family business." Although the company
was founded almost 70 years ago by the Martin
family, which still runs the business today, it
also boasts an extended family of more than 200 loyal em-
ployees, many who have been with the company for more
than 30 years.
Launching with humble beginnings and eventually ex-
panding across multiple locations, Martin Wine Cellar faced
an enormous setback during the wrath of Hurricane Katrina
in 2005. However, the business and its people emerged from
the tragedy stronger than ever, and recently celebrated the
grand reopening of the store location that was lost nearly 10
years ago.
BY MELISSA NIKSIC
Weathering
the
storm
One NOLA-based retailer is stronger than ever post-Katrina
THE SMALL CORNER STORE THAT STARTED IT ALL
Martin Wine Cellar was founded by David Young Martin, Jr.,
in 1946. After returning to his home state of Alabama after
serving in World War II, David was unsure of what career path
he should take. An uncle who was in the bulk wine business
convinced David to visit New Orleans to learn more about
wine and spirits. David liked the vibe of the city and promptly
moved to Louisiana with his parents in tow. On May 24, 1946,
the very fi rst Martin Wine Cellar opened its doors at the cor-
ner of General Taylor and Baronne Streets in Uptown New
Orleans. The store itself consisted of a 12-by-12 room that
made up half of a shotgun double residence (the other half of
the building was a hardware store).
Martin's store on Baronne Street in New Orleans
reopened a few months ago. The previous store
at the same location was destroyed by
Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
