By  Kiely Callahan 

Karen Nason has been the owner of Grand Central Wine Bar since last November, and it has been a great addition to the town of Gorham.  She is excited to announce it will be open within the next two weeks. She has owned businesses in New York and New Jersey, gaining significant experience over the years. Born and raised in Gorham, Nason decided it was time for her to come back home, where the opening of Grand Central Wine Bar was successful from the start. 

She got a Class A lounge license, because it made the most sense for the business. When COVID-19 hit, the governor forced all places to close. Since then, restaurants have reopened for takeout and outdoor seating. However, the license that was bought for Grand Central Wine Bar is different from other restaurants that have been able to reopen. It means it’s a lounge bar, not a restaurant, and that is why they are not open. Nason says she wants everyone to know, “We do not want to be closed, we have to be.” Nason has patiently been waiting to be given the okay and move onto the next stage. 

Kegs are being donated, and a friend of Nason’s is donating a cube for the outside. The price to open is $6,000. She is working with the state to open up soon, and to ensure the atmosphere will be safe. 

There have been rumors that the Wine Bar was closing, but Nason has no intention to do that. She states, “We are not closing, we are closed, there’s a difference, and that’s per governor, not my doing.” 

She can say without a doubt she will not be closing, but perhaps, rather reinventing. There is something exciting coming in the near future, but it is under wraps.