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By SASHA JOHNS / Community Columnist

“I’d dreamed about it for a long time, but I finally spoke out loud that I was for sure going to do it this past October,” hometown entrepreneur, Kelly Davis told us about her new wine shop Just a Tish, in Columbiana.

Davis, a pharmacist by trade, has been a wine enthusiast along with her husband since they married 23 years ago. As the years went by and their enthusiasm took them to Napa, Italy, and France as they incorporated visits to vineyards and wineries to learn more about their passion. “I’m not a sommelier, but I am very knowledgeable about wine and continue to learn more and more about it every day,” she shared.

Davis is from a family that is experienced in owning small businesses. Her parents and two siblings are small-town business owners as well and have been cheering her on from the sidelines. “It’s been her dream for years and I’m so excited for her,” Davis’s mother, Diane Ellis told us. The shop is named as a nod to her paternal grandmother, who would always answer “Just a tish,” when asked if she’d like a glass of wine.

The location of Just a Tish is perfect. Right on College Street facing the new Shelby County Arts Council building, home of the Black Box Theater, Davis hopes to attract concert goers for a nice cheese plate and a glass or two of wine before they head over to see the great shows that will be gracing the Black Box. “Right now our hours are 12-6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, but on nights there are concerts, we’ll be staying open till the shows start.

Davis still works as a pharmacist one day a week but is thrilled to be working one mile from home the rest of the week now. Just a Tish is a beautiful space designed not just for a great wine shopping experience, but also for folks that want to sit and share a glass of wine or enjoy a light bite to eat with a friend. The space not only features large comfy couches and years worth of SCHS yearbooks set out to spark conversations and story sharing, but well-spaced table seating and a bar.

Even the charcuterie plates have a personal touch. Each one is handcrafted by Davis’s mother who is a glass artist.

After locating her space in January, work got underway to build out and open, but of course, the actual opening of the shop was delayed due to the COVID-19 shut down in March. On May 1, Just a Tish opened its doors to the public with a soft opening, and business has been great ever since.

There will be a proper Grand Opening in place on June 9 at 11 a.m. when there will be an official ribbon cutting with The Shelby County Chamber. The public is welcome to come to celebrate with Davis, and the shop will be maintaining social distancing measures for public safety. Find the store at 113 West College Street next to Golden City.

Sasha Johns is a community columnist who writes about Columbiana.