For Ryan Gott, owner of The Cork and Board at 1207 Centre Street in Newton Centre, shopkeeping is a second career and the realization of a dream. The longtime family and probate lawyer decided during the pandemic to open a specialty foods store with a local New England focus, and he designed everything about it—its logo, website, and interior design—himself. Since opening last August, it’s become a popular spot to experience fine wine, craft beers, and other locally curated delicacies in the heart of Newton Centre.
Wine and beer are two of the main attractions at The Cork and Board, with foreign and domestic offerings at price points for every budget, from just under $20 to over $300. Customers can sample the wares in three public tastings per week, held on Friday and Saturday evenings beginning at 5PM and Sunday afternoons beginning at 1PM. These are often educational events, at which representatives of vineyards and/or distributors describe the history and characteristics of the wines being poured. Sometimes this includes a sustainability story, as a number of the producers are organic, biodynamic, or carry European sustainability certifications. The store also carries kosher wines from Israel and Italy, and there are also kosher food products.
There are “sample stations” throughout the store, which have included honey, maple syrup, specialty nuts, granolas, and chocolates, many of which are sustainably produced in New England. At some events, there are also foods to sample: for example, on January 6, there will be a tasting, sponsored by TD Bank, that includes samples from Jinny’s Pizza, located just a few doors down from The Cork and Board at 1231 Centre Street. It’s also possible to arrange private and semi-private tastings on Tuesday through Thursday evenings for special events or groups. You can even set up a private tasting with Alice Achayo, a wine consultant, who will provide compelling stories, history, and unique details for wines that have been specifically curated for your event.
The store also stocks an abundant variety of Fair Trade chocolates and candies, as well as curries, nuts, popcorn , spices, spreads, chutneys, marinades, baking mixes, and a collection of salty snacks, Italian products, grab-and-go cheeses (New England and European), and charcuterie. On Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, it also offers baguettes, durum levain, and flaxseed rye loaves from Bread Obsession, a woman-owned artisanal bakery in Lexington.
You’ll also find a variety of gift items at The Cork and Board, including glasses, platters, coasters, candles, decorative ceramics, and self-care products. There are also a number of unique and one-of-a-kind items from local artists, including hand-crafted bowls and boards by Matt Day and custom knives by David Singer. All can be packaged into gift baskets upon request, and the store will ship gifts for a fee, providing the package does not contain alcohol or perishables.
