AlexNaticchioni

AlexNaticchioniOn Thursday, September 29, the Long Beach Post hosted an event to honor young people from around the city who are doing great things to better their community and beyond. Out of hundreds of nominations from our readers, judges chose 40 winners, representing a range of professions and activism. The Post will be profiling each honoree in the coming days.

Co-owner of both The Wine Bar for nearly seven years and Long Beach Jerky Co. for three, Alex Naticchioni, 31, is known for cultivating community over delicious food and drink. Described as “driven” and a “trailblazer,” the young entrepreneur runs both businesses with a love for craftsmanship and Long Beach culture.

“I was shocked to hear that I was nominated and then selected as a winner,” he said. “I was honored and damn near rendered speechless after reading the article. To be recognized by the community for this award is something I never imagined and still have a hard time believing.”

The Wine Bar serves craft beer and wine in downtown Long Beach, and showcases the work of local artists, while giving singers, bands and DJs the space to perform. Long Beach Jerky Co., established in 2013, can be found in over 30 local shops, restaurants, bars and other venues, and is one of the city’s most known small businesses.

Naticchioni, a Colorado native, can often be found at local events, chatting with friends, meeting new people and passing out samples.

“He is smart, powerful, charismatic and successful—all traits he will never acknowledge about himself,” one of his nominators wrote. “In fact, he would rather donate profits from his businesses to help those in need than make a buck, and that is truly a characteristic we should all appreciate.”

“This award is not a product of one person, but more a product of everything that surrounds it,” Naticchioni said. “The people I work with, the city we work in and all the people in it. The outpouring of support and love behind all this is what keeps it going and can only imagine what the years to come hold for us.”

Asia Morris is a Long Beach native covering arts and culture for the Long Beach Post. You can reach her @hugelandmass on Twitter and Instagram and at [email protected].