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Cellar and Plate opened in December 2016 near the intersection of Lone Pine Avenue and Battlefield Road.
SBJ file photo
Cellar and Plate opened in December 2016 near the intersection of Lone Pine Avenue and Battlefield Road.

Wine bar gets new owners

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South-side Cellar and Plate LLC is under new ownership by frequent customers and restaurateurs Shawn Kraft and Johnson Tan.

“We always go to Cellar and Plate and sit at the bar. Basically, we have just switched roles,” Kraft said this morning, referring to the role swap with former Cellar and Plate owner Mary Guccione.

Kraft, who owns Nonna’s Italian Cafe, did not disclose terms of the deal, which closed Dec. 1. Business partner Tan is the chef and co-owner of Ocean Zen Inc. and 5 Spice China Grill Inc.

Guccione opened the communal wine bar at 2916 S. Lone Pine Ave. in December 2016 and invested $20,000 to start the business, according to past Springfield Business Journal reporting. The bar and eatery has an extensive wine list and a selection of small plates like spicy Brussel sprouts, shrimp and grits, and chicken tacos.

Kraft said he doesn't plan to make any changes.

“Mary created something that was fantastic,” he said. “We’ll expand on that concept … and keep up with all the fun wines for old world and new world."

Kraft said his knowledge of wine and Tan’s experience in the kitchen make a dynamic pair. He added Tan has plans to mentor Cellar and Plate chef Luis Peralta.

Guccione could not be reached by deadline for comment on her decision to sell the wine bar. Kraft said she was ready for something new and described her as someone who “loves creating things and starting things.”

This isn’t the first time the business lives of Kraft and Guccione have crossed. The two own Si Italia Travel Co. together. Kraft said the travel company hosts two to three guided tours of Italy per year. The two started the business with Guccione’s husband, Doug, in March 2018.

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