Whim Wine Bar is a new wine bar coming to the ground floor of River Park Square downtown mall, at 808 W. Main, next month.

The shop is co-owned by Kori Henderson and husband Paul Blacketer, who have both worked in the food and service industries for over 12 years.

“Our most recent experiences have been in the wine industry,” she says. “After working in so many different environments, for so many other people and learning the ins and outs of the business, we finally decided we want to do our own thing.”

Henderson says the couple is leasing a 2,500-square-foot spot on the main floor of River Park Square formerly occupied by Red Fox Sports.

She says the space is in the process of being remodeled to include a bar and kitchen, as well as new décor and furniture, with help from Spokane-based Acuity Construction and Design LLC.

Once completed, Henderson says both she and her husband will work at the bar, along with three or four other employees to start.

“We’ll have a selection of 25-plus wines by the glass and a few local draft beers,” she says. “There will be a small menu of shareable plates, including appetizers and pizzas.”

She says the shop will be open daily from noon to 10pm, or later depending on demand.

“A lot of people we’ve talked to think that everything in the mall other than AMC closes at 8pm, but the restaurants are open late,” Henderson says.

She adds, “We do have the option to expand into the corridor a bit to include an indoor patio space, which I think could create a fun vibe and bring more later evening guests into the mall.”

Henderson says the pair plans to be ready to open Whim in mid-June.