Wink Woodstock Opens Downtown

The air is cool, the sun is down, the breeze is soft and sweet. It's a perfect time to stroll along Woodstock's historic Main Street, hand in hand with that special someone, and take in the sights of the town. It should be like any other early autumn evening in Georgia.

But this week, something is different about downtown. Nestled directly between and , a new neon sign is glowing over the sidewalk, expressing a single, enticing word to curious passersby: .

The brainchild of Shannon Fannin and Steve Rabb, Wink is an ultra-modern concept bar specializing in martinis and nosh, built around the idea of sophistication that is at once inviting and energetic.

"We created this concept thinking about an older, more mature wine crowd in the evening, and a fun party crowd late at night. It really evolved from there," Rabb said.

Wink's art and decor instantly reflect the couple's vision, featuring a cool palette of steely grays, luscious purples and contemporary patterned fabrics.

Designed primarily by Fannin herself, the final layout is representative of things she's drawn from the LA nightclub scene and sexy bars in Atlanta, with her own ecclectic spin.

Wink is quite a departure from previous business endeavors taken on by Fannin and Rabb. Skilled in management and marketing respectively, neither have tried their hand at restaurant ownership until now. Rabb has spent most of his time as Vice President of the American Cancer Society in Atlanta, and Fannin has been in retail for many years.

So what was it that prompted the pair to open a luxurious lounge with big city decor, themed staff attire and a wine list that could titillate even the most discriminating tastes in Woodstock?

"[Shannon and I] were sitting at one night, just talking about what this area really needs. We thought, 'wouldn't it be amazing to do a wine and dessert thing,' and it just grew from there. Suddenly we were building concepts," Rabb said.

It's true that, until recently, options for an elegant evening of gourmet food and wine have been limited in Woodstock proper, but Wink hopes to change the landscape of Main Street dining with their signature cocktails, extensive list of imported beverages and minimalist approach to fine cuisine.

"My number one passion in life is to cook," said chef James De La Hunt. De La Hunt, whose brother Thomas runs the bar, has spent more than a decade devoted to food service. Beginning as a busser in previous restaurants, he has worked his way to kitchen manager at Wink, and was an integral part of their menu creation.

"My hands are on all of these dishes, these are my recipes. My vision of food is simple flavors and raw ingredients. No preservatives, no fillers. Every ingredient I serve is the best I can get my hands on," De La Hunt said.

Things aren't all about the glitz and glamour for Wink's managerial staff, however. Community involvement is an important aspect to their business philosophy.

On Sundays, Wink plans to collaborate with the , charging admission which will help fund future Elm Street projects, and there is hope of featuring local artists for live music at least once a week.

Additionally, a percentage of the proceeds from every Wink for Pink signature martini are donated to the American Cancer Society and breast cancer research.

Wink, which officially opened its doors to a limited number of guests on Monday, will host their grand opening on Halloween weekend. The ribbon cutting hosted by Main Street will be tonight at 6. Be sure to stop by for a taste from their meticulously crafted menu of aged meats and cheeses, fine wines, imported beers and gourmet nosh.

For more information on upcoming musical performances or theme nights, visit Wink Woodstock's website.