Serving French/American food with craft beer and wine since the early 1970s, the House of Wines continues as a Marietta destination with live music, wine tastings, shopping and evolving specials.

When chef/owner Sally Oliver bought the business in 2012, she knew she wanted to maintain the mission of the restaurant but she enjoys adding new items and offerings.

“(It’s a) from scratch menu. The only thing I purchase is burger buns and tortilla wraps for sandwiches. I like to use the phrase beverage-driven and like to put wine pairings with our specials,” Oliver said.

To pay homage to the restaurant’s beginnings, Oliver still serves the famous Crock and a Half which includes Swiss onion soup and half of a Reuben sandwich.

“It goes along with the legacy of the building. It’s Swiss onion and not French onion because the original owners had a relative in Switzerland who mailed them the recipe on a post card,” Oliver said.

What makes The House of Wines, Oliver said, is the concept of a full restaurant and retail space with a casual dining atmosphere and affordable alcohol prices.

“We do them at state minimum pricing. When you get a bottle of wine here, it’s not restaurant pricing. It’s the most affordable place to drink beer and wine,” she said, and over 3,500 different wines are available for purchase.

This week kicked off live performing season at The House of Wines and Oliver said the riverfront patio will be a prime spot in the warmer months. Musicians are all local performers.

In May, there will be a casual wine tasting with summer-themed drinks like white wines, roses, ciders and other beverages one would sip on a porch.

“We (also) do wine slushes. We implemented that last year and the flavor is evolving. Today, we have a peach Mostato and a strawberry red sangria,” Oliver said.

In the coming year, Oliver said she plans to renovate the retail space and she said it is due to support from the community that she is able to grow the business.

“I am just so thankful for my local community because they’ve allowed me to evolve, they’ve allowed me to grow one step at a time. I’m thankful they’re here, I wouldn’t be here without them.”