Chicago's Lush Wine & Spirits is struggling to stay afloat in an increasingly turbulent wine market, driven largely by the rapid-fire tariffs imposed on European imports since President Donald Trump took office.
The Roscoe Village and West Town-based co-owner, Mitch Einhorn, 63, has seen his business' sales take a hit due to rising import costs. With many of its products being imported from Europe, Lush Wine & Spirits is highly vulnerable to the volatile tariffs that have been imposed on wine imports from eight European countries.
Since August, U.S. importers of European wines have been paying 15% tariffs, which has typically been passed down to consumers in the form of higher prices. Just last month, Trump threatened to impose an additional 10% tariff on these same products, rising to a whopping 25% by June - unless Greenland was allowed to be purchased by the U.S.
The wildly fluctuating tariffs have caused significant uncertainty for Einhorn, who had orders in transit from France when the proposed 200% tariff on French wine and Champagne was announced. However, Trump soon backed down on his threat after just a week.
Despite these challenges, Lush Wine & Spirits is still managing to stay afloat - albeit with some hiccups. The business has seen sales increase at its Roscoe Village location by 1%, while the West Town space saw sales dip by 9%. However, the expansion plans for the latter are being put on hold due to rising construction costs.
Einhorn is now focusing on expanding the business' offerings and improving its food prices. He's also working with a vineyard in Washington that's producing exclusive wines exclusively for Lush Wine & Spirits, as well as a winemaker in France on a longer-term project.
For Einhorn, owning a small business can be both exhilarating and challenging. "If you stop learning and doing new stuff, you cease to exist," he said, highlighting the importance of continuous innovation and improvement.
As for the tariffs themselves, Einhorn wonders whether President Trump fully understands the downstream impact they have on people's lives - particularly those working in retail and imports. When asked if he'd ever had to pick up the bill at a restaurant, he dryly replied, "When was the last time?"
The Roscoe Village and West Town-based co-owner, Mitch Einhorn, 63, has seen his business' sales take a hit due to rising import costs. With many of its products being imported from Europe, Lush Wine & Spirits is highly vulnerable to the volatile tariffs that have been imposed on wine imports from eight European countries.
Since August, U.S. importers of European wines have been paying 15% tariffs, which has typically been passed down to consumers in the form of higher prices. Just last month, Trump threatened to impose an additional 10% tariff on these same products, rising to a whopping 25% by June - unless Greenland was allowed to be purchased by the U.S.
The wildly fluctuating tariffs have caused significant uncertainty for Einhorn, who had orders in transit from France when the proposed 200% tariff on French wine and Champagne was announced. However, Trump soon backed down on his threat after just a week.
Despite these challenges, Lush Wine & Spirits is still managing to stay afloat - albeit with some hiccups. The business has seen sales increase at its Roscoe Village location by 1%, while the West Town space saw sales dip by 9%. However, the expansion plans for the latter are being put on hold due to rising construction costs.
Einhorn is now focusing on expanding the business' offerings and improving its food prices. He's also working with a vineyard in Washington that's producing exclusive wines exclusively for Lush Wine & Spirits, as well as a winemaker in France on a longer-term project.
For Einhorn, owning a small business can be both exhilarating and challenging. "If you stop learning and doing new stuff, you cease to exist," he said, highlighting the importance of continuous innovation and improvement.
As for the tariffs themselves, Einhorn wonders whether President Trump fully understands the downstream impact they have on people's lives - particularly those working in retail and imports. When asked if he'd ever had to pick up the bill at a restaurant, he dryly replied, "When was the last time?"
The wine market is crazy right now! I can imagine how tough it must be for Mitch Einhorn, dealing with these tariff fluctuations. It's like, one day his prices are up 15%, and the next day they're down... what a rollercoaster! 
His business is still managing to stay afloat, but it's not easy. I'm curious to see how he'll navigate this situation and come out on top.
The good news is that he's focusing on new projects and improving his food prices, so there's still hope for Lush Wine & Spirits.
The wine industry is basically playing a game of whack-a-mole right now with these tariffs 
. You gotta feel for Lush Wine & Spirits - they're doing everything they can to stay on top, but it's like they're constantly juggling fire 
. First, the 15% tariff hits and prices go up, then Trump threatens even more, but ultimately backs down 
. It's like he's playing a game of economic hot potato 
.
. Those working in retail and imports are basically shouldering the burden of these tariffs. And it's not just about the prices - it's about the uncertainty, the constant worry about whether your business will stay afloat 
. It's like they're waiting for the other shoe to drop 
.
. Do we really need more tariffs? Can't we find ways to make trade agreements work without resorting to these heavy-handed measures 
. All I can say is, if you're a small business owner like Mitch Einhorn, it's time to buckle up and keep innovating 
!
. The tariffs thing is getting out of hand, it's like Trump just throws these crazy numbers around without thinking about how they'll affect people's lives. I mean, 200% tariff on French wine? That's like, a recipe for disaster! 
.
I remember when tariffs were introduced... I think it was like 3 years ago? 
Anyway, I'm surprised Lush Wine & Spirits is still afloat. I mean, 15% tariffs are steep. But, you know, they're adapting. Expanding offerings and food prices? That's smart thinking. 
They might be selling fewer wines in West Town, but who needs that many Champs 
? And partnering with Washington vineyards? Nice move! 
Maybe the US should just chill on the tariffs and let the Europeans sell their goods without breaking the bank. I mean, we're a big country... can't we afford to lose some business? 
. And now they're talking about adding another 10%? That's just wild 
He's got his hands full with those tariffs.
. We've got some amazing vineyards and winemakers, and it would be awesome to support them instead of penalizing European imports.
. And hey, at least he's not losing money left and right like some other businesses I know 
. Fingers crossed for the future of wine in Chicago! 
! The tariffs are really taking a toll on businesses like Lush Wine & Spirits. I mean, can you even imagine not knowing how much your favorite bottle of wine is going to cost from one week to the next? It's crazy. And it's not just the business owners who are affected, but also the people working in retail and imports... poor guys gotta deal with all this uncertainty 
. I'm glad he's focusing on expanding his offerings and improving food prices, but it's just not enough to counteract the impact of these tariffs 
.
.