It’s not every day that a lawyer becomes the owner of a wine and specialty foods store, but that’s exactly what Vijay Shroff, JD ’04, did in 2019. The decision has been a beneficial one for Shroff, his customers and his community.
“My career has had some twists and turns,” Shroff says. He worked as a practicing attorney in New York for nearly a decade before accepting a job back in his hometown of St. Louis. His reason was a practical one: “My wife and I welcomed a son, and we needed a backyard.”
Shroff and his family took up residence in Webster Groves, Missouri, where backyards are more common, and he took on a new role as a general counsel for ICL Group, Ltd., a global manufacturing company. After running the business division for the company, Shroff began to contemplate a future in business ownership.
“There was no master plan,” he says. “It just unfolded when I reflected on my strengths, my weaknesses and what I enjoyed doing. My time at WashU Law taught me process-oriented logic and made me consider taking a bit of a gamble. That led me to buy the business in 2019.”
The Wine and Cheese Place has been a staple in the St. Louis community since 1982. Loyal customers stop by to enjoy wines, craft beers, hand-cut cheeses and specialty foods at several locations, including Creve Coeur, where Shroff grew up; Clayton; Kirkwood; and Town and Country. During his time as owner, Shroff has elevated the company by relocating multiple locations and opening a new venture, Spirit Wine & Craft, in the Southampton neighborhood.
“We have people who’ve been shopping with us for 40 years,” he says. “The fact that they continue shopping with us is a blessing. A lot of our customers are known by first name when they walk in the door, and they choose us because they trust us to help them find what they’re looking for.”
“… I reflected on my strengths, my weaknesses and what I enjoyed doing. My time at WashU Law taught me process-oriented logic and made me consider taking a bit of a gamble.”
Vijay Shroff, JD ’04
While the customer comes first, Shroff has also been intentional about forming partnerships with other local companies like O+O Hospitality, which operates several popular eateries in Webster Groves. “It’s always been a win-win for us,” Shroff says. “Supporting local businesses supports our brand, as well. It just makes a lot of sense.”
In addition to his partnerships, Shroff is focused on growing his other specialty shop, Extra Virgin: An Olive Ovation, which he purchased in 2023. “There are challenges to selling wine and spirits because of the nationwide shipping involved and alcohol rules,” he says. “Olive oil doesn’t have those limitations.”
As Shroff grows his business portfolio, he remains committed to providing diverse and delicious options to his many St. Louis patrons. His return to the area in 2013 appears to have been a smart move, both personally and professionally. “St. Louis is great. We have our challenges, but I’ve always felt that the people here are genuinely nice and genuinely care about their neighbors. We certainly feel the sense of community in our stores.”
