Cleveland Heights Winery Celebrates 'National Drink Wine' Day and the Power of Shopping Local

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OHIO – Cleveland 13’s Gremi, the host of Cleve-It To Us, visited CLE Urban Winery in the Cedar Lee District to celebrate National Drink Wine Day with owner Destiny Burns. Burns, a 20-year U.S. Navy veteran, returned to her hometown to follow her dream of opening a community-driven winery, a mission she has successfully accomplished since launching the business in 2016.

Gremi and Burns sampled local wines paired with cheese and apples while discussing the importance of small businesses in Cleveland. “To me, the space is amazing. This space was designed to be a community space,” Burns said. “I think it’s really important for us to save our small spaces here in Cleveland.” She elaborated that these spaces are neither home nor work but essential gathering places where people can connect and celebrate.

During the segment, Burns demonstrated her deep ties to the community when she paused to greet a neighbor passing by that came to enjoy their evening in her space. Gremi emphasized the urgency of supporting small businesses while they are still thriving. “So many people talk fondly about small businesses, but when they disappear, they say things like, ‘I wish I would have gone there while I had the chance.’ Now is the time, more than ever, to support these spaces so they can stay around forever,” he said. “Get over here now, because it’s awesome.”

The conversation shifted to another Cleveland small business, All City Candy, which recently suffered an accident when a Jeep crashed into its storefront in Richmond Heights. Elisabeth Sapell, known as the “Candy Queen of Cleveland,” joined Burns and Gremi for the segment, reflecting on the overwhelming community support her business has received in the wake of the incident. “There has been so much support, it’s amazing,” Sapell said. “People are coming out and saying, ‘I saw it on the news and I wanted to come and support.’ It’s beautiful.”

Sapell and Burns often collaborate, combining their businesses to create unique events and experiences for Clevelanders. As National Chocolate Mint Day follows National Drink Wine Day, Sapell brought chocolate mint treats to share on the show. The two entrepreneurs’ chemistry was evident, leading Gremi to call them a “power team.” Burns responded, “We are better together,” and Sapell agreed, “We ARE better together.”

Discussing the impact of recent challenges, including a massive fire that destroyed a $66 million complex under construction near CLE Urban Winery, Burns emphasized the importance of community support in times of crisis. “It’s hard to get here, it’s hard to park, but people make the effort and come out, and it means the world to us as small business owners because we need that, especially in crises,” she said.

Gremi underscored the broader economic impact of supporting local businesses. “When you spend money at a small business, you’re spending money at little leagues, you’re spending money to put someone through school, and when you spend money on things for your shop, you’re doing it locally,” he said. Burns warned of the consequences of failing to support independent businesses. “If we don’t do that, eventually all we will have is Walmart and Amazon,” she said. Gremi added, “Nobody wants that. I went to Walmart yesterday, and it was terrible.” Sapell reinforced the sentiment, stating, “When you support local, you’re keeping the money in the community, and that’s going back to your friends, your neighbors. Small businesses need support.”

As the segment wrapped, Gremi delivered a final message to viewers: “We need these spaces to gather, to be together. We missed this during the pandemic, and now we have it back; don’t let it slip away.” He encouraged Clevelanders to visit CLE Urban Winery and All City Candy, support small businesses, and follow them online.

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