A milestone birthday trip to Florence, Italy, gave Brian and Jordan Von Hagel more than memories. It also inspired the couple to bring a new kind of gathering place to their Ross Bridge neighborhood.
During the trip, they frequently stopped at small, inviting wine bars tucked throughout the city. Brian began imagining how a similar concept could serve the Hoover community where he and his family have called home for nearly a decade.
“We kept popping into these little wine bars and thought something like that would be great for the Ross Bridge community,” Brian said. “There really wasn’t anything that quite fit that mold in the area.”
Brian Von Hagel
Brian and Jordan Von Hagel and their family
A few months after the couple returned home, a nearby commercial space became available. They approached the landlord with their idea, signed the lease and began the lengthy process of turning their vision into Von’s Wine Bar.
For Brian, the business is a natural extension of a career spent in the beverage industry. He has close to 20 years of experience working with beer, wine and spirits, including positions with Birmingham-based beverage distributor AlaBev, Oskar Blues Brewery, Sierra Nevada Brewing Company and Good People Brewing Company. Although his experience provided a strong foundation, opening a business presented an entirely new set of challenges.
“This was my first time running a business,” Brian said. “We wanted to go by the books and make sure everything was done the right way.”
Permits, state requirements and alcohol regulations contributed to a process that took more than a year from signing the lease to opening the doors. Brian said each entrepreneur he consulted had experienced a slightly different path, so much of the process involved learning as he went.
The effort ultimately resulted in a neighborhood-centered space designed to accommodate everything from date nights and work meetings to family outings and football games.
The 2,100-square-foot interior can accommodate about 60 guests. Seating options include a relaxed lounge area with sofas and swivel chairs, a 10-person community table, high-top tables and a 12-seat bar.
Outside, a 1,500-square-foot patio offers partially covered seating, soft lighting and large televisions. A nearby green space gives children room to play while parents relax on the patio. Board games and reliable Wi-Fi add to the wine bar’s family-friendly and work-friendly atmosphere.
Brian describes Von’s as polished enough for a special evening but relaxed enough for guests to arrive in shorts and a T-shirt.
“Come as a neighbor, leave as a friend,” he said. “That’s what we try to give people.”
Wine remains the focus, with selections chosen to introduce customers to bottles and varieties they may not regularly find elsewhere. Brian’s background in beer is also reflected in the menu, which includes eight beers on draft and around 15 to 20 canned and bottled selections.
The couple also plans to expand the menu with wine-based cocktails and seasonal offerings.
Jordan Von Hagel
Von's Ross Bridge has quickly become a favorite gathering place for locals.
Creating a business close to home was especially important to Brian and Jordan, who have three young sons. Brian knew that entrepreneurship would require long hours, and working just five minutes from their home allows him to remain connected to his family while building the business.
“We had always wanted to do something in Hoover,” Brian said. “This location came available, and it was just perfect.”
Brian credits Jordan as the driving force behind many of the business’s operations, joking that she is “the brain behind the operation,” while he handles much of the daily work.
Although the couple has discussed eventually opening additional locations or pursuing other concepts, their current priority is nurturing the community they have created in Ross Bridge.
3601 Market St, Hoover AL 35226
Von’s Wine Bar is located at 3601 Market Street, Suite 101, near La Paz and Hometown Fare. Whether guests stop by for a distinctive glass of wine, a pint of Guinness, a sporting event or a quiet evening with friends, the Von Hagels hope they will feel like part of the neighborhood from the moment they arrive. Follow them on Instagram or Facebook, or visit their website.