Voyages Wine Shop opens on east side, delivers far beyond

As for the brick-and-mortar location, the 1,400-square-foot space, formerly a flower shop, is filled with 400 wines from small producers across the world. Rather than carrying expensive wines that remain unopened for decades, King said he wanted to carry wines that were affordable and accessible in the $15-25 range. ”

Voyages Wine Shop

2024 E. Michigan Ave,
Lansing

Justin King is a familiar name within the greater Lansing hospitality industry. Formerly at Red Haven Farm to Table in Okemos, King opened up Dewitt’s Bridge Street Social in 2016, but he resigned in 2020 to pursue his latest venture: Voyages Wine Shop. 

King, 42, an East Lansing resident, celebrated the official opening of the eastside neighborhood shop on July 6. But he’s far from a wine newbie. He has a two-decade-long history of working with wines, from his start at the wine counter at Goodrich’s Shop-Rite to his time at restaurants.  

“I’ve been in wine for 20 years, it’s the one thing I love to do for work,” King said. His mission for Voyages, perhaps Greater Lansing’s first boutique wine and beer delivery shop, is to provide a space that serves the needs of the community. “I want to create a place that can give people really good products for what I think is outstanding value,” he added.  

During the stay-at-home orders at the pandemic’s onset, King said his mind was reeling with business ideas that focused on delivery services. And while King has no aspirations to become the next Amazon or big-name delivery provider like Instacart or Gopuff, he does want to become a mainstay in Lansing. Launching today (July 20), daily delivery is available from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.. to Lansing, East Lansing, Okemos, Haslett and DeWitt.  

“This sort of dynamic is probably a new one for Lansing,” he said. “Wine delivery and grocery delivery have existed in major markets for a while now, but it hasn’t really existed here.” 

As for the brick-and-mortar location, the 1,400-square-foot space, formerly a flower shop, is filled with 400 wines from small producers across the world. Rather than carrying expensive wines that remain unopened for decades, King said he wanted to carry wines that were affordable and accessible in the $15-25 range. 

“I’d rather have wines that people here are looking to have with their pizza tonight, so that was the goal,” King said. “We’ve also got craft beer, ready-to-drink spirits, canned cocktails and hard seltzers.” 

Beyond that, Voyages stocks charcuterie boards, picnic baskets, meats, cheeses, olives, chips, salsa and pasta sauce — even toilet paper and diapers. “I know it sounds kind of strange for a wine shop, but I honestly think there has been a need for that sort of diverse set (of items) for a store on the east side,” King explained.  

With a name like Voyages, it makes sense that the shop’s owner enjoys wine trips and travel excursions. He said that passion will extend to customers too. Next summer, Voyages is hosting wine trips to Spain and to Greece.   

“One of the things that’s really enhanced my life is being able to travel to wine countries throughout the world,” King said. “I wanted to share that experience.”