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Vino has trumped victuals at River Bend Trading Co., which closed its street-level retail grocery store Jan. 18 and temporarily shuttered its delicatessen.

River Bend’s downstairs wine cellar and bar will remain open while the owners develop a new business plan for the former grocery space.

“The wine has done quite well, but we also felt that the grocery store somewhat handicapped the wine,” said Tim Grimes, wine and grocery manager.

Co-owner Andy Massoth said current plans are to reopen the first floor this spring with an expanded delicatessen for lunch patrons. The wine cellar will grow to 1,200 square feet from its current 800 square feet, and the wine selection will double. Other business plans are in flux. However, the business, including the winery and deli, will no longer carry the River Bend name, Grimes said. A new name has not been selected.

River Bend opened last June after Massoth and his partners in Full Court Press bought the building at 208 Court Ave. and opened the grocery store in response to a perceived desire among downtown residents to buy food a short walk from home.

“We thought they would want us to be here badly enough that they would stick with us,” Massoth said. “I think they tried that one or two times, and decided they really didn’t like it.”

Massoth said the deli, wine cellar and Shorty’s Bar have been popular. Massoth and his partners in Full Court Press also operate Hessen Haus, Buzzard Billy’s, El Bait Shop, High Life Lounge and the Royal Mile, all in or near downtown.

“The grocery store was for a specific audience and the wine cellar was for everyone,” Massoth said. “Everyone is supporting us.”

River Bend was the second downtown grocery store to close recently. Village Market in the East Village closed last October, six months after it opened.