Flights of Fancy summer event combines wine tasting, shopping discounts

Flights of Fancy, downtown New Haven’s wine tasting and shopping event, returns 4 -8 p.m. on Thursday, July 25.

The event — which features in-store wine tastings, discounts, and giveaways at over 25 downtown shops — is sponsored by The Wine Thief and The Study Hotel at Yale, and presented by The Shops at Yale. The event is organized by the Town Green Special Services District and Yale University Properties.

During Flights of Fancy, participants sample wines provided by The Wine Thief (181 Crown St.) and receive 20% off an item at participating stores in the Broadway and Chapel shopping districts. There will be live music throughout the evening on Chapel Street and on Broadway on Market Island.

Attendees check in at The Study Hotel between 4 and 7 p.m. before setting out for the participating shops. At 8:15 p.m., attendees return to the hotel for Willoughby’s coffee, dessert from Insomnia Cookies, and a grand prize drawing for a complimentary stay for two at The Study at Yale hotel.

The fee of $20 includes a Flights of Fancy wine glass, a map of participating shops, entry into the grand-prize drawing, validated parking at the York Street Garage (150 York St.), coffee, and dessert. Bring the wine glass from a previous Flights of Fancy event and receive $5 off the admission fee.

The event is limited to the first 700 registrants, and reservations are encouraged.  Click here to RSVP for the event.

Participating merchants include:  Agabhumi, Alex and Ani, Ashley’s Ice Cream, Barnes & Noble Bookstore at Yale, Box 63, Campus Customs, Denali, derek simpson… goldsmith, Enclave, Froyoworld, GANT, Hull’s Art Supply & Framing, idiom, J. Press, Jack, Wills, Merwin’s Art Shop, Oaxaca, Peter Indorf Jewelers, Thali Too, Ten Thousand Villages, Therapy, Tomatillo, Trailblazer, Wave Gallery, Willoughby’s Coffee & Tea, Yorkside Pizza, and Yurway Designs.