WILTON – Planners approved an operating permit for a new wine store Thursday.

The store will be on the bottom floor of the Margot Joly and Associates Law Firm at Route 2 and Cemetery Road in Wilton.

William St. John, Joly’s husband, will run the store, which will sell wines from around the world as well as a selection of premium ales and beers. The store is expected to open by Memorial Day and will be called Wilton Wine Merchants.

Since the beverages will not be consumed on site, nothing needs to go before selectmen, planners said. Planners also said there is nothing prohibiting two businesses in the same building. The building lies in a commercial zoning and this is an allowed use, Code Enforcement Officer Brenda Medcoff said.

Joly said while a paralegal’s office and file storage exists in the bottom part of the building, the store will only take up a small portion on the back side of the space. There is parking for six plus vehicles on the side of the building. While they will also need to put in a side door for access to the store, Medcoff said that is only a renovation and does not need to come before planners.

The couple said they plan no additional outside lighting and no sign permit has been requested at this time. The business will be open four days a week. The operating permit was granted pending receipt of all applicable state licenses and permits.

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