Thomas Keller opens 1st retail store

Back in the 1950s, Chuck Williams combed through Europe to source interesting implements and serving pieces for his kitchenware store in Sonoma.

But the worldwide company he founded -#8212; Williams-Sonoma -#8212; no longer has the corner on the cooking market.

Discerning Wine-Country shoppers now have lots of choices for equipping their home kitchens, from Napa chef Michael Chiarello's NapaStyle store in Yountville to Healdsburg chef Charlie Palmer's Limestone, run by his wife, Lisa.

This summer, the Thomas Keller Restaurant Group threw its toque into the retail ring by opening its first store, Finesse, in Yountville.

The 450-square-foot shop features white shelving, hardwood floors and lots of natural light to showcase the hand-selected kitchen tools and accessories favored by chef Thomas Keller and his restaurant family -#8212; The French Laundry, Bouchon Bistro, Bouchon Bakery, Ad Hoc and Addendum of Yountville; and Per Se of New York.

It was customer demand that prompted Keller to open the brick-and-mortar shop, which shares the same name as the chef's twice-yearly, self-published magazine.

Designed with the help of Keller's fianc?, Laura Cunningham, the shop showcases some of the items that make dining at one of his restaurants such a unique experience.

Curated products range from the three-piece Thomas Keller Wooden Spoon Gift Set ($40) to the six-piece Thomas Keller Limited Edition MAC Knife set ($955).

The store also carries cooking kits, such as the Thomas Keller Chocolate Tart Gift Set ($225), and the group's Cup4Cup baking products.

Finesse, the magazine, is available at the shop, along with a collection of cookbooks by Keller and a few of his friends.

Finesse, the store, is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday through Monday at 6540 Washington St., just north of Bouchon Bistro. store.tkrg.com.