Collier’s of Centreville
5810 Kennett Pike
Centreville, Delaware
(302) 656-3542
There are wine stores… and then there are wine stores… And Collier’s is most definitely of the latter persuasion. If Total Wine, for example, is a libationary supermarket, Collier’s certainly qualifies as the Old Curiosity Shop… The diminutive interior is extraordinarily cramped and cluttered. There are wine bottles crammed into every conceivable space – on shelves, on racks, on counters, stacked in cases on the floor – an anorexic contortionist would encounter navigational difficulties… But this, of course, is part of its undeniably quirky charm.
Collier’s is also an oasis for dedicated wine lovers: Here you may spend time pleasantly browsing, knowing that your search will undoubtedly be rewarded with an interesting variety of oenological treasures… And these are gems you’re hardly likely to unearth at ordinary run-of-the-mill wine retailers. No question about it, when you’re on the prowl for a vintage that’s just perfect for this evening’s dinner party or that upcoming special occasion, Collier’s, which marches to the beat of a different – and slightly idiosyncratic – drummer, is definitely the place to be.
And the clientele, you discover, is as varied and diverse as the vinous selections. The locals are present and accounted for, along with day trippers to Winterthur, Longwood Gardens and, perhaps, the nearby Brandywine River Museum. Then, of course, there are always those who are just passing through, consider Buckley’s Tavern a good spot to grab a bite and, on a whim, decide to check out Collier’s just next door.
Given the shop’s unique & intimate atmosphere, you naturally expect the service to be equally intimate and personable. Well, there’s the rub… of sorts. I say this because if you happen to pay a call when the proprietress, Linda Collier, is absent from the premises, her stand-in bears are the soul of cordiality. On the other hand, from what I’ve observed over the course of several years as an occasional commuter drop-in, Ms. Collier’s attitude with regard to customers – except for regulars and/or friends – could best be described as “perfunctory.” In my opinion, the average patron isn’t likely to accuse Ms. Collier of being given to excessive bouts of bonhomie.
Recently, however, her demeanor went beyond mere “aloofness.” Several weeks ago, I was present – along with a number of other browsers – when she was inexplicably rude to a female shopper. I’m not sure what prompted her discourteous outburst, but the situation proved quite embarrassing… not only for the woman who was the object of Ms. Collier’s wrath, but also for everyone else who was present at the time.
Absolutely no question that Ms. Collier knows her wine; on the other hand, perhaps a course in Customer Relations 101 should be in the offing. There are many different ways in which a particular situation may be resolved… and it seems to me that Ms. Collier’s imprudent confrontation – especially for the proprietress of a small wine shop – would be considered the least efficacious.
It would seem obvious that Ms. Collier’s capricious attitude could hardly be beneficial for business – I was completely turned off by what I witnessed, as I’m sure other patrons present were as well. True, Collier’s is somewhat unique, and Ms. Collier is a big fish in Centreville’s exceedingly small pond… But it would be well for her to bear in mind that there are other “bigger” fish – namely Total Wine and Moore Brothers Wine Company – within easy commuting distance of her establishment. Her wine shop may be the only game in Centreville, but it is certainly not “the only game in town.”
A paraphrase of one of my favorite lines from the film Casablanca surely comes to mind: “How extravagant you are throwing away customers that way… some day they may be scarce.”
Cheers!
TAD
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