On Thursday Aug.15, The Oconee Cellar celebrate its 21^st anniversary of selling wines, liquor, beer and cigars in Georgia’s Lake Country. It a milestone that owners Matt and Daniela Garofalo are very proud of.  

From starting a little boutique wine, beer and cheese store in Salem Walk just down from Reynolds Landing to moving the store to the left of Publix in 2001, and to now a new location to the right of Publix, The Oconee Cellar has adapted to change along the way.  

“I am not one to embrace change, but moving the store and starting from scratch really allowed me build a store the way I always wanted. From adding a walk-in beer cave, a temperature controlled fine wine room, new displays, LED lighting, we have been able to enhance the customer’s buying experience,” said owner Garofalo.  

It has proven a wonderful move for the business.  

Today, The Oconee Cellar still runs a wine club, a Reward Card Program, and a new app specially designed for their store.  

“I am always looking for new ways to use technology to keep my customers engaged with what’s happening at our store. The new Oconee Cellar app allows customers to look up all our products we carry or have carried in the past and place orders that can be later picked up at the store,” Garofalo. The app can be downloaded from the app store for Apple users and the Play Store for Android users. It is free to sign up. Events can also be viewed on the app as well as their website at www.theoconeecellar.com.   

Another important way The Oconee Cellar engages with its customers is through social media.  

“Facebook and Instagram are great ways to keep your customers updated on all the new exciting products we bring in daily. By liking The Oconee Cellar on Facebook and following us on Instagram, you will be the first to see what the latest trends are on wine, beer, and spirits,” said Garofalo.  

The Oconee Cellar is running its annual Anniversary Sale starting Thursday, Aug. 15 ^through Sunday, Aug. 18. All 12 bottle cases of wine are 15% off along with some major discounts on some very popular brands of liquor. All sale items will be posted on their website. They will have Dock 103.9 FM live on location on the store from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. while serving free refreshments made by Marie Garofalo, Matt’s mother. Also, new to the Garofalo family is Tito, a 4-month-old puppy Matt adopted from the Oconee Regional Humane Society who is now the mascot of The Oconee Cellar.  

“The Humane Society had a number of puppies outside my store and I went over and saw Tito and decided to take him in the store. He was an instant hit with the customers and my family.”  

You can find Tito greeting customers at the store most every morning.

Stop by the store during their sale to save big and wish them a Happy 21^st anniversary.  

Garofalo said, “It is hard to believe that 21 years have gone by! I am very grateful and blessed to have such a great staff, support from my customers, and family to help keep the business going. I am hopeful that The Oconee Cellar will continue to be successful for many more years in the future.”