Today we’d like to introduce you to Mykel McIntosh.
Hi Mykel, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’ve always been drawn to hospitality, community, and creating spaces where people feel comfortable being themselves. Before Videira Wine Shop & Bar, I spent years working around restaurants, bars, and wine, learning not just the technical side of service, but how much atmosphere and connection matter. I realized pretty quickly that my favorite places were never the ones trying to impress people they were the ones that made people feel welcomed the second they walked in.
Videira came from wanting to create that kind of space in St. Louis. I wanted a wine bar that felt approachable, intimate, a little hidden, and community-driven. Somewhere you could have a serious bottle of wine without any of the intimidation that sometimes comes with wine culture. The idea was always “no snobs here.” Whether someone knows everything about Burgundy or just wants a glass of something good after work, they should feel equally at home.
Starting Videira wasn’t glamorous. It was a lot of trial and error, long nights, figuring things out in real time, wearing every hat possible, and constantly adapting. The space itself came with challenges, and as a small independent business owner, there are always obstacles behind the scenes that people never fully see. But those challenges also shaped the identity of the bar. We leaned into being smaller, more personal, more intentional.
Over time, Videira became more than just a wine bar. It became a gathering place. We started hosting tastings, wine dinners, sake events, collaborations with chefs, DJs, artists, and neighbors in the community. Some nights are quiet and intimate, and other nights the whole block feels alive. That balance is really what makes it special to me.
A huge part of the journey has also been learning to trust my own vision creatively. I care deeply about details the music, lighting, menus, glassware, the pacing of a night because all of those things shape how people feel in a space. I’ve always wanted Videira to feel cinematic in a way: dark, cozy, welcoming, and a little transportive.
Where I’m at today is still very much a work in progress, and I think that’s the honest reality of owning an independent hospitality business. But I’m proud that Videira has built a genuine community around it. Seeing people celebrate birthdays, first dates, anniversaries, collaborations, or even just survive a hard week over a glass of wine that’s the part that keeps me going.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely has not been a smooth road. Building Videira Wine Shop & Bar has come with a lot of personal and professional challenges that people don’t always see from the outside.
There were periods where I was dealing with an unhealthy domestic relationship while also trying to keep a business afloat. At the same time, I struggled with alcohol abuse, which is a difficult thing to navigate while working in hospitality and around alcohol every day. There were moments where I was trying to survive personally while still showing up publicly for my staff, guests, and the business.
As a Black woman owning and operating a wine bar, I’ve also had to deal with people underestimating me constantly. There have been times when staff didn’t listen to me or questioned my leadership in ways they may not have with someone else. I’ve had customers disrespect me, dismiss the brand, or walk into the space with preconceived ideas about who belongs in the wine world and who doesn’t. That part has been incredibly exhausting at times.
Hospitality can already be demanding, but carrying all of that while trying to build something meaningful made the process even harder. There were moments I questioned whether I could keep going. But in a strange way, those struggles also shaped the heart of Videira. I wanted the space to feel welcoming, safe, unpretentious, and community-centered because I know what it feels like to not always feel seen or respected yourself.
I think one of the biggest lessons has been learning resilience and learning how to keep creating even during difficult seasons of life. The business is deeply personal to me because it was built through real experiences, real mistakes, growth, and perseverance. And honestly, I think people connect with Videira because they can feel that authenticity when they walk through the door.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Videira Wine Shop & Bar is a wine shop and bar built around community, atmosphere, and making wine feel approachable. We specialize in curated wines from all over the world, rotating glass pours, intimate tastings, sake events, collaborations with chefs and artists, and creating an experience that feels more personal than transactional. It’s a place where someone can discover a natural wine for the first time, celebrate a birthday, have a date night, or simply decompress after work.
What makes Videira different is that it’s deeply hands-on and personal. I’m not an owner who disappears behind the scenes I’m there every day. I’m the owner, operator, bartender, event planner, buyer, social media manager, cleaner, sometimes therapist, and honestly whatever else needs to happen that day. I wear every hat possible to keep the business running. Guests see me working the bar, setting up events, creating menus, moving furniture, helping staff, greeting regulars, and building relationships in real time. I think people connect with that authenticity.
I’m also proud that Videira has become a space that feels welcoming to everyone. Wine culture can sometimes feel intimidating or exclusive, and I wanted the opposite. We care deeply about making people feel comfortable and seen. Whether someone is ordering a rare bottle or just trying wine for the first time, we want them to feel special when they walk through the door.
As a single mom running a business, there’s also a lot of sacrifice behind the scenes that people don’t always realize. Balancing motherhood, leadership, hospitality, and entrepreneurship isn’t easy, especially in an industry that demands so much physically and emotionally. But I’m proud that even through the challenges, I’ve built something that reflects resilience, creativity, and heart.
Brand-wise, what I’m most proud of is the feeling people get when they come into Videira. It’s dark, cozy, intimate, a little hidden, and community-driven. We’ve built a loyal group of guests who genuinely support the space and each other. That means more to me than anything. At the end of the day, I want readers to know that Videira isn’t just about wine it’s about connection, storytelling, music, culture, and creating moments people remember.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
One of my favorite things about childhood was the freedom of it before bills, responsibilities, stress, and constantly having to think ten steps ahead. I miss the simplicity of just living, exploring, being curious, and experiencing the world without pressure.
Some of my best memories are honestly just being outside for hours, discovering new places, using my imagination, and feeling like time moved slower. There was a sense of wonder in everything back then. I think that part of me still exists today, and it’s probably why I’m drawn to creating spaces and experiences that make people feel relaxed, present, and connected.
As an adult and business owner, life can become very heavy and structured, so I try to hold onto that childlike curiosity and creativity whenever I can. I think it influences the atmosphere of Videira Wine Shop & Bar too I want people to come in and feel like they can escape for a little while, slow down, and just enjoy the moment.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://videirawineshopandbar.net
- Instagram: videirawinebarstl
