About the shop
A small shop, a long memory, a long table.
The Clown has been on US Route 1 in York since 2009, with a broad focus on European antiques, local art, and artisan food stuffs alongside wine. New ownership in 2025 has brought a reinvigorated focus on wine, the addition of spirits, while continuing to offer fine foods, gifts, and wine accessories.
Inside the room
A Refined, Cozy Shop
The shop is under new ownership, with a background in restaurants and personal relationships with producers in Italy and Greece. The long memory shows up at the counter, in the bottles remembered from last year and the questions asked before one is pulled this year.
A small team works the floor. Together they are the reason the room feels the way it feels.
Django the German Shepherd is the unofficial mascot. He is non-negotiable. He is also extremely polite, and customers bring him biscuits.
A philosophy of curation
We treat wine like art, not inventory.
The Clown curates its wine offerings from artisanal producers- organic or biodynamic farmers; wines that speak to place and history, mavericks and traditionalists….they all have a perspective and are skilled enough to articulate it through their wine.
Wine can be bewildering and intimidating. Our staff will tell you what we love, but we also listen to your wants and needs to help you find the right bottle for any occasion.
If we don't have exactly what you're looking for, please ask us. We love tracking down your special orders; from obscure amaro to Sicillian reds from volcanic soil. INSERT LINK TO SPECIAL ORDER FORM
From the visitor book
The education alone about wine, travel, art, unique gifts, foods. Love, love, love to stop in as much as possible. Always feel like I'm visiting my friends.
I know nothing of wine, walked out with a beautifully wrapped bottle in my price range. Less than five minutes. Impressed.