"That woman is a saint. She was working like an animal."
Inside a shop named Happy Wine, J.C. Restrepo wipes tears from his eyes.
“Everything was falling apart,” he recalls. “I’m sorry. Let me gather myself.”
Around him, diners are laughing, popping bottles and munching on tapas, salsa music playing almost too loud to speak over. He and his longtime partner, Joanna Fajardo, huddle close at one of the high-top tables where stools are homemade from wine crates. When he speaks, his usually booming voice is a raspy whisper.
This wine shop and tapas bar they bought together almost 10 years ago usually lives up to its name, particularly for the owners. Christmas lights crisscross the ceiling. Bottles of wine, ranging in price for neighborhood abuelitas to connoisseurs, are sorted neatly by region and stacked on shelves made from wooden 2-by-4s. Happy hour starts early, music plays every day of the week and every inch of wall space is scrawled with diners’ messages like, “I got dronk here.”
It’s an open secret and a longtime favorite for Miamians who know you have to use the back door although it’s on busy Calle Ocho.
But the last year has been a test of faith, love and perseverance for the couple that owns one of Miami’s favorite hidden gems.
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