The royal treatment

When you open a 25-year-old bottle of wine, you take your chances. A light pinot noir, improperly aged, may have taken on a slight brown hue and should be poured down the drain. But the right wine, carefully aged, kept away from the light and heat, can transform into what in a human being we would call wisdom—the hard corners rounded and the sharp, youthful ego softened into deep complexity.

But I’m not referring to wine. I’m talking about two people who in their 25th year as owners of Royal Park Fine Wine have become cherished members of our community. Over the years, their knowledge, experience, industry connections and commitment to service have brought more joy to our family celebrations, more love and openness to our family dinners, and more serenity to our quiet backyard moments.

I’m talking about Joe and Randa Soussou.

“Yes, we sell wine and spirits, but this is really a people business,” explains Joe, who doesn’t just sit behind the counter. Instead, he works the room as if you’ve arrived at a party he and Randa (pronounced Rhonda) are hosting. “We’re constantly researching and acquiring rare and interesting wines to introduce to our customers.”

It helps that Joe is curious; he never stops learning. I remember stopping in the shop way back in 2003 when Joe showed me a cedar box filled with dozens of tiny vials of different aromatics—from vanilla to tobacco. He was memorizing “wine notes” to earn a special designation from the Court of Master Sommeliers. He received his certification in 2004.

And when the bourbon craze hit, Joe went all-in, reading, studying, tasting. He and Randa now carry one of the largest bourbon selections in the region.

But more than anything, Royal Park is a family business. In 2004, Joe opened a second location with his cousin and business partner, George Zaboura. And both children—Khadar and Celina—began working at Royal Park at early ages, learning firsthand what it means to have a heart of service.

“Both our kids are people people,” Randa says. “They’re smart and hardworking. They got this way naturally. They learned how to shake hands from their dad.”

Son Khadar grew up to become a successful entrepreneur in his own right. He—along with the local DiFiore and Rababy families—opened The Aviator in 2020, and the new Via Roma in 2024. Both have become wildly popular restaurants and event centers.

Joe’s notoriety isn’t just among his customers. The OHLQ takes notice, too. “After five years as a liquor agency, our sales were quadruple the state’s estimate of where a store like ours should be,” he explains. “That’s the result of the dedication of a great team of employees who are passionate about personal service.”

If you’ve ever been to a state liquor agency—where a cantankerous cashier rings up your purchase with an insincere, “Anything else?”—please visit Royal Park.

You’ll find out what the wine world means by the term “beautifully aged.”

Royal Park Fine Wine and Liquor Agency is located at 12770 Royalton Road in North Royalton. The Strongsville location, which does not offer liquor, is located at 17608 Pearl Road. For more information, visit RoyalParkWine.com.