This month, we are pleased to feature Benson Hyde and Bruce McAmis, owners of Provisions. Their beloved neighborhood business offers wine & beer, spirits, specialty cheeses, and much more. Benson and Bruce bring knowledge, passion, and a strong community connection to Provisions, and are thrilled to open their Thornes location in the coming weeks. Whether you stop by for a wine tasting, need advice on how to create a stunning charcuterie board, or want to find the perfect gift for food and wine loving friends, they're here for you.
An interview with Bruce McAmis and Benson Hyde of Provisions.
Benson and Bruce, please share your story with us about yourselves and your business, Provisions.
Benson: I started Provisions 14 years ago with a couple of other people, including my cousin, Alex Feinstein, who now co-owns Cedar Chest. Since there was not a wine and cheese shop downtown, we felt it would be a good addition to the community. Alex had talked me into quitting a more corporate job, telling me how wonderful it was running a small business. And 14 years later, I am still doing it.
Bruce: I was actually one of their first vendors when I still had my import wine distribution business. I sold them wine for about 8 years, and we also became friends in that time.
Benson: In 2019, Alex let me know he was thinking of moving on to focus on other projects. He suggested that Bruce would be a great person to buy him out and become a co-owner. So in August of 2019, Bruce came on board. It was a perfect fit, as our missions aligned and he already knew our staff and the ins and outs of the business. Plus, we really enjoy hanging out together.
We know you are about to open your new location in Thornes. What are some things you’re looking forward to about the building?
Fun fact: we were very close to starting our business in Thornes. We really wanted to be there from the beginning, but for multiple reasons, it felt a bit more economical at the time to move into the Crafts Ave. space. We’re thrilled to be opening in Thornes at last, with the parking garage, elevators, and plenty of foot traffic as benefits. It feels good to move into a space that has a community aspect as opposed to feeling like a stand-alone island. We also feel like the space is special, having previously been occupied by Cornucopia for so many years.
People who work in the building speak highly about how the business community is so supportive. We are excited for the opportunity to collaborate with anyone who is willing to do so. It will also be nice for people who are shopping—both at the holidays and year ‘round—to pop down for a sample of wine then return to their errands.
Are there any events/other exciting things on the horizon for your business in general?
We’re eager to be able to build tastings and events back in, as the experiential component of our business is very important to us. We’ve intentionally created a space for a tasting counter that is bigger and more open. We also hope to find a space in the building that allows for classes, as education is also a key piece of the business. We’ve had quite a few people reach out saying they are interested in this again, and being able to hold classes in the building would be convenient—and also give us the chance to cross-promote.
What do you enjoy doing outside of the business these days?
Benson: Even though it’s often connected to work, I love that we get to travel. Visiting our producers and getting to know them in their spaces is really rewarding.
Bruce: I certainly enjoy traveling, too. I do a little less wine-related traveling, but I value travel time with family and friends. I am planning a Spain and Portugal trip in March to do a deep dive into wines from those regions. Benson and I also get together regularly for dog walks, which is a fun and much-needed escape from work.
