JC Warman has been in the food business for 42 years. After working and managing stores for thirteen years for 2 major national food corporations, he and his wife Suzy ventured out on their own and in 1983 started Slight Indulgence, a gourmet food and wine store on High Street. With his entrepreneurial dreams and his extensive food background, a gourmet food
and wine store was a natural progression.The Warmans joined the National Association of Specialty Food Trade Buyer’s Circle in 1999. The Association recognized Mr. Warman’s wisdom of the food industry and appointed him to numerous national committees including the Admission Committee, where he was judged the companies showing their products at the International Fancy Food and Confection Show in New York. In May of 2000, he became the first and only West Virginian to sit on NASFT Judge’s Panel, where he helped select the best food in the gourmet industry.
The Warman’s love of wine has taken them all over the country and to Europe, where they have met and tasted with some of the most knowledgeable and influential people in the wine business including Clive Coates from England, Tim Mondavi from California, Renzo Seghesio and Deborah Cesari from Italy, Robert Parker from Maryland and Jeanne Marie de Champs from Burgundy, France.
Slight Indulgence is also the only gourmet shop from West Virginia to be showcased in the Specialty Food Magazine, a prestigious food industry magazine with worldwide distribution.
The Warmans had 2 locations in Morgantown until July 2014. The Warmans closed their downtown shop of 31 years uniting them with daughters, Jessica & Janna at the 3200 Collins Ferry store. Son and daughter, Jayce and Jocelyn also contribute to the family business while pursuing their careers in Parkersburg, WV and New York City.
There is nothing “slight” about this gourmet shop—with hundreds of bottles of wine to choose from to suit every taste. At Slight Indulgence, wine prices range from $7 a bottle to bottles worth more than $1,000, though most bottles sold cost around $20. At this glorious store, you can choose from wines all over the world.
JC and Suzy Warman opened Slight Indulgence in 1983 on High Street. “My husband wanted to be his own boss; he wanted to be an entrepreneur,” Suzy says. “We had lots of neighbors who had businesses downtown who encouraged him.” JC had a background in dealing with food from when he worked at a major food chain. The couple took a leap of faith and dove in. The business was so successful, a second Slight Indulgence opened in Suncrest.
The owners’ passion for food and wine is clear when they’re working with customers. “We hand sell all of our wines here. We ask what foods will be served with the wine and what kind of tastes the customer has,” Suzy says. “Chocolate is a little different because people are really into chocolate—they pretty much already know the flavors they like.” Slight Indulgence is known for its chocolate, gourmet foods, and now, a café in their Collins Ferry Road location.
Suzy says gourmet food is part of her family’s culture. “I’m Italian and my husband has always had a love for food and wine. Opening a gourmet shop just seemed right.” Their risk has paid off. Slight Indulgence is the only gourmet shop in West Virginia to be showcased in Specialty Food Magazine.
Suzy sees the store as an extension of her family. “We’re a family business so we have very strong family values with personalities that really exude our products. We’re into food. We’re into wine. Our business is our life.” —BEN SCOTT