ROCK CREEK – A building that once served families during some of life’s hardest moments is getting a second act in Rock Creek.
A former funeral home at 3119 W. Water St. is now home to Water Street Winery, Lodging and Retreat, a combination winery, restaurant, event space and overnight lodging operated by Linda and David Williams.
The couple purchased the building about two years ago after seeing an opportunity to put the building to a different use.
“We saw a need for a winery and thought it was a good use for the building,” Linda Williams said.
Renovation began last year, with much of the work done by the couple themselves. The transformation has been gradual, with the winery opening in June.
The building is divided roughly in half between the winery and the lodging and retreat space.
The Williamses envisioned the lodging as a place where groups could spend a weekend together, sharing meals and conversation while enjoying the space and each other’s company.
“It seemed like a necessary thing,” Williams said.
The accommodations also are intended to serve people visiting the area for other reasons.
Walleye fishermen, for example, can stay at the property and have room to park a boat trailer. Families in nearby Roaming Shores can use the lodging for visiting relatives and other guests when they don’t have enough room in their homes.
The property also includes an outdoor pavilion that can be used for weddings and other events.
Meanwhile, the winery side offers vintages made on site, along with a food menu designed for casual gatherings.
Food options include charcuterie plates, olive oil bread dip, spinach artichoke dip, a Caprese platter, meatball hoagies, individual pizzas, chicken strips and soft pub pretzels. Sides include seasoned French fries, bourbon baked beans, chips and pretzels.
For dessert, customers can choose from gourmet bread slices and homemade cookies.
The wine selection includes an unoaked Chardonnay, Reserve Riesling, Liquid Gold, Moscato/Riesling, Oakie Red and Heavenly Grape. Soft drinks also are available.
Customers can purchase sample pours for $2, glasses for $8 and bottles for $24. Flights featuring four 2-ounce pours are $14.
The Williamses are also developing the agricultural side of the operation. A small vineyard has been planted, although the vines aren’t producing for the winery yet. Blueberries also have been planted on the property.
The winery has quickly become part of the local community. The Rock Creek Area Chamber of Commerce meets at Water Street Winery on the first Monday of each month.
For Williams, one of the most rewarding parts of opening the business has been watching the reaction of the people who walk through the door.
“The people who come in are just really great and happy…they leave here happy,” she said.
That response is part of what has made the gradual renovation worthwhile.
“It’s fun, it’s really nice,” Williams said.
Water Street Winery, Lodging and Retreat is open from 4-8 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and from 1-8 p.m. Saturday.
With the winery, lodging, retreat space, pavilion and developing vineyard, the Williamses have given the former funeral home a new purpose, one centered not on mourning, but on food, wine, conversation and bringing people together.
For more information, visit the Water Street Winery Facebook page or call 440-897-8820.
