Why a sock startup opened a wine bar.

Socks, boxer shorts, and wine – spot the mistake. How does the grape-based beverage, which even the ancient Romans rejoiced over, fit into this list? If you ask SNOCKS, the connection is obvious. With their own company, founders Johannes and Felix have already fulfilled a lifelong dream. Now, their next heartfelt wish is on the horizon – their own café, complete with a wine bar. SNOCKS Coffee Of course, selected basic products like socks or boxer shorts will also be available for purchase, but the focus will clearly be on enjoyment. It's also clear that opening a wine bar is a major challenge for an e-commerce startup. Many observers doubt SNOCKS' ability to take this step – which is why we've taken a closer look at this ambitious undertaking in this article.

Image: The founders of SNOCKS visiting the winery

Why wine and coffee in particular?

Online retail has little to nothing to do with the restaurant industry. So how does an e-commerce startup come up with the idea of ​​opening a café with a wine bar? Quite simply – passion. A key prerequisite for a successful retail business is a passionate love for its customers and its own products. These factors are definitely also part of SNOCKS' recipe for success. What began with the sale of sneaker socks via Amazon is now a successful startup with over thirty permanent employees. SNOCKS loves its own products and is practically obsessed with current and potential customers. These qualities can be quite easily transferred to the restaurant business. Now the products come into play. Restaurateurs today have virtually unlimited options when it comes to the food and drinks they want to offer. As with many businesses, Coffee At SNOCKS, coffee is an integral part and an essential foundation of every workday. The growing team certainly doesn't settle for just filter coffee. A high-quality espresso machine takes pride of place in the kitchen of their Mannheim office, treating employees to delicious espresso and cappuccino daily. Fueled by caffeine, Team SNOCKS dives into their work, and their dedication is regularly rewarded. In 2019, for example, the Mannheim startup won the Amazon Selling Partner Award. And how do you celebrate such a success? With good food, of course. Wine ! Located in Mannheim, SNOCKS is just a short distance from one of Germany's most renowned and popular wine regions. Many of the young company's employees grew up in the neighboring Palatinate region and some still live there today; wine has been an integral part of their lives since their youth. In the fall of 2019, several employees also spent a few weeks in South Africa. Impressed and inspired by the local wine culture, Johannes and Felix solidified their plans for their own restaurant, and from then on, wine became a key element of their strategy.

Image: SNOCKS wine tasting with delicious wines in good glasses

When will the SNOCKS wine bar open in Mannheim?

Many people dream of owning their own café or wine bar, but what about making it a reality? Anyone familiar with SNOCKS knows that the team gives their all to turn dreams into reality. That's why they're already working meticulously in their Mannheim office towards the opening of SNOCKS Coffee. To approach this ambitious project professionally, the startup has brought experienced restaurateur Philipp Günther onto the team. He will be primarily responsible for the strategic planning and day-to-day operations of the café. This includes curating the wine selection. To this end, Philipp is currently visiting various wineries throughout Germany to ensure that SNOCKS Coffee guests will soon be able to enjoy an exceptional selection of wines. The exact details of this selection and which wineries will be featured remain a secret for now. However, the café already has a website, which is being filled with articles about wine, winemakers, and coffee by dedicated writers. This content, along with SNOCKS Coffee's social media presence, definitely piques the curiosity of their followers and makes them eager to visit the wine bar. You'll also soon find out there when and where SNOCKS Coffee will open its doors. Who knows, maybe there will even be a wine tasting with winetory.net? See you there!