By Unsie Zuege

A Victoria caller contacted the newspaper.

"There's talk that School of the Wise in Victoria is closing," our anonymous source said with concern. "And with Parker Tannin's just closing...well, people are concerned about what's going on."

 Don't panic. School of the Wise, the coffee shop located in the Hartman Clock Tower building isn't going anywhere. According to Ann Clifford whose son Brandon owns and operates the coffee cafe, School of the Wise is happy, healthy, and thriving. In fact, its success has prompted Clifford and an investor to replicate and expand  the cozy Victoria coffee shop concept in its new location in Chanhassen.

In July, Clifford took over the former space occupied by C.J.'s Coffee and Wine Bar at 600 Market St., in Market Street Station, next to the Chanhassen Cinema. On Friday afternoon, Clifford provided a quick tour of the space which will feature a wine bar in the former Maggie Moo's ice cream shop adjoining the former C.J.'s.

If the wine bar's interior will look familiar to Victoria residents, it's because it will feature the cabinetry, bars, and leather chairs from Parker Tannins Wine and Spirits. Parker Tannins just closed last week in the Notermann Building and in a serendipitous turn of events owner Ryan Dussault contacted Clifford and offered to sell her the custom wine bar cabinetry for her second location in Chanhassen.   

The renamed coffee cafe will be called School of the Wise East, and will feature coffee drinks, wine, along with a menu that will be similar to and expand upon the School of the Wise's sandwich, soup, and desserts offerings.

School of the Wise East will open in early October, and will feature live music on weekends. In addition to an interior design overhaul, the ceilings will be lowered to improve acoustics for music, the music stage will be moved for better sight lines throughout the cafe, and improvements have been made to make mobile phone service more reliable, and WiFi accessible on the outdoor patio.