51¶ÌÊÓƵ

Meier's Cork 'n Bottle opened its doors as Tavlin's Cork 'n Bottle at 13th and South streets in 1965. This year, the wine and beverage business celebrates its 50th birthday.

"Tavlin's" was switched out to "Meier's" when Ken Meier took over, but the original "Cork 'n Bottle" neon lettering stands as a reminder of the store's history.  

Meier says his signature line is "I can be helpful if you'd like me to be." He leaves alone customers who know what they seek and helps find the perfect wine for those who don't. 

The business sells domestic and imported wines as well as other beverages. The business has a catering branch and its own wine-tasting room, where customers can try a glass of wine from a dispenser before they buy it.

Kevin Meier, Ken's son, said knowledge has kept them in business.

"The amazing thing about wine is that we could never learn everything there is to know," Kevin said.

They try to match each customer with the wine that fits their budget, their dinner and their needs, he said.

"You can't get that everywhere," Kevin said.

Ken Meier attended college in Lincoln and eventually began working for a hospital supply chain in Chicago. He got promoted and was told he could move wherever he wanted, Meier said, as long as he could fly in and out of the city. He chose Lincoln.

In 1978, Meier said he walked into the Cork 'n Bottle and was confronted by Mitch Tavlin, the liquor store's founder, who had moved the business to that site from a previous location at 13th and L.

Tavlin assumed Meier had a lot of money because Meier wore suits, Ken said. Tavlin offered Meier the store right then and there. 

After a week of deliberation, Meier bought it. It's been Meier's Cork 'n Bottle ever since. Kevin had his own store for several years and rejoined his father in 2008.  

The store still has its original wood flooring, decades after it was installed. 

A lot can change in 37 years, including customers' tastes in wine. Customers who bought wine were buying red at 30 percent and white wine 70 percent of the time when he took over, Ken said. That number has since reversed, with 75 percent of wine consumers buying red wine now.