Twenty-five years ago today, 29-year-old Lou Denis swung open the doors of Wine & Roses, and his heart, to the people of New Milford.

Twenty-five years later, he's still doing the same thing every single day, with his brother Chris by his side, on the corner of River Road and Henley Ave. For patrons of Wine & Roses and Garden Cafe, Denis' good humor has become as predictable as the spring rains, but more eagerly anticipated. 

And as his business has grown, so has his heart. In fact, ask anyone who knows Lou and they'll tell you that he is the heart and soul of New Milford. Garden Cafe's lunch crowd agreed. When told that Wine & Roses was celebrating its 25th anniversary, there was not one person who did not smile and offer their congratulations to Denis.

"I still remember my first sale on February 8th, 1987," Denis reminisces with his now iconic smile. "A resident came in and bought a six-pack of Coors Light and a single red rose. I remember thinking, 'Yes! I'm in business now!'" he laughs. 

Like any long-term relationship, twenty-five years in the same business has its highs and lows, but Denis admits that he will never let anyone know about the 'lows.'

"Good times, bad times...as long as I have my friends and my family, what else matters?" he shrugs and smiles with his hands raised. Smiling. Always smiling. 

For Denis, it's all about giving back to the community. As a member of New Milford's Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Zoning Board, Denis says he loves being involved in every aspect of New Milford life. And residents will tell you that he's helped more people and causes than he wants anyone to know about. Denis brushes this off and says that he's guided by his heart, not by what people see.  

To celebrate Wine & Rose's 25th anniversary, Denis has a number of events planned beginning this spring:

• Retro pricing: The building that houses Wine & Roses has been a liquor store for 70 consecutive years. To honor that unique milestone, Denis will be introducing Retro Pricing on select beer, wine and liquor. 
• Weekly wine tastings paired with select cheeses. 
• The Garden Cafe's "Thursday Night Pasta Night" will offer wines that are paired with each pasta sauce. Denis will offer discounts on bottles of wine purchased at Wine & Roses. 
• 15% discount on flowers to anyone who shows a student I.D.--great for prom!

And with 25 years behind him, all Denis can do is look ahead. "I have so many things planned going forward that I just can't sit still!" he exclaimed.

Lou invites all of New Milford to take a moment out of the day to stop in to say "Happy Anniversary" to him and Chris and help them celebrate 25 years on the corner of River Road and Henley Blvd.