Sean Malone loved being a wine shop owner.
He bought the 8-year-old Ashburn Wine Shop in 2018 from its original owner and carefully curated an inventory of fine wines and a list of loyal customers. He renovated the store, added a kitchen in 2020 and started serving food accompanied by his wines.
And then one day he collapsed in the store. It was a brain tumor. He fought it for 20 months before passing away March 28.
“Sean was remarkably brave,” said Sharon Smith, Malone’s fiancée. “He never gave up hope that he would beat the statistics.”
Smith – who was with Malone for 16 years – says the wine shop was his passion.
“For Sean, the shop wasn’t just a place to buy wine – it was a gathering spot where you could come have a glass and share a story,” Smith said. “He loved the connection he formed with each customer, many of whom became close friends.”
Click here and head over to the Ashburn Magazine website for the rest of the story — how two of Malone’s longtime customers took a leap of faith and took over operating the wine shop. It’s been a journey that started with simply wanting to honor their friend.