In Conversation With Alex Wendkos

TUCKED AWAY ON THE EAST SIDE, Seconds has quickly become the city’s go-to destination for all things dinner party—and then some. We recently stopped by the shop, just narrowly missing owner Alex Wendkos, but were welcomed by shopkeeper Madie, who gave us a rundown of the space and its offerings.

Seconds is perfectly timed with the rise of intimate gatherings, carving out its niche with a distinctive collection of home goods—most of which are tailored to elevate the kitchen and dining experience.

EDMOND PHILLIPS

ALEX WENDKOS

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself? 

Sure thing! I’m Alex, owner of Dino’s and Seconds. I’m from St. Petersburg, FL but moved to Nashville in 2005 and have lived here ever since. After graduating college here, I took time to travel which turned into a love for food and all things hospitality. After many years in the service industry, I finally had the opportunity to take over Dino’s in 2014 and I’ve been running it ever since! Dino’s has seen many decades (1970s/oldest dive), and I’m lucky enough to have kept it alive for the last decade. After years of throwing parties and hosting events over there, I really fell in love with all of the little details that make up those great hangs–and so, Seconds was born. 

Wow. I didn't know you also owned Dino's, love that tidbit. You coin Seconds as the “go-to shop for dinner parties,” but it feels like there’s a bigger story behind that. What does that tagline mean to you, and what else do you hope people discover when they walk into the shop?

Yes. Seconds can be as simple as, “a shop for dinner parties,” but the beauty of Seconds is that it can mean so many things. Seconds is an ode to my Nonna who used to cook Sunday dinners for our family. She would end the meal with, “So, was this [recipe] a keeper?” and without a doubt the answer was always a yes. Seconds was inspired by Nonna–the notion that you will want to come back for more. But again, Seconds isn’t just about wanting more, but also about finding those little things in the shop that are keepers–the conversation starters, the ingredients that stand out, the one cooking utensil you can’t live without–the little things that make up a really great hang. 

Being an ode to your Nonna's cooking, the foundation of Seconds is rooted in home. Over the past few years, there’s been a noticeable shift — more people are opting to host intimate dinner parties at home rather than heading out to restaurants or bars. From your perspective, what’s driving that change?

I love this, yes! I think people want deeper connections. They want more meaningful experiences. Sure you could spark up a convo with the table next to you at a restaurant, but those moments are short-lived or just scratch the surface. Sitting in someone’s home feels way more conducive to connection and it’s more likely you will leave feeling inspired and fulfilled if you’re in the comfort of someone’s home (or better yet, your own). Real, in-person connection is few and far between nowadays, but I think we’re all ready to get back to more personal connections–just waiting on the invites. 

To touch on home again, One thing that stands out about Seconds is the space itself. It has a warm, welcoming energy — it feels like stepping into someone’s cool apartment. What inspired the interior design and atmosphere?

Thank you!! This means a lot because it’s exactly what I wanted the space to feel like–someone’s home. Again, going back to Nonna who was not only a great cook but an incredible artist (painter) and interior designer. She had an eye for design and I want to believe I picked up even a small fraction of her taste. A lot of inspiration came from my travels and to be honest, a few of the big pieces came from my personal home–Seconds is an extension of me so it only made sense to make it feel like my home away from. In addition to that, the vision for the space was always to host dinner parties around the central dining table. I kept saying, “I don’t want this to feel like a retail space, I want this to feel like you’re walking into someone’s living room.”

Though it doesn't feel like your typical, mundane retail space; retail still plays a large part in what seconds is. Your product mix is clearly well thought out — from cutlery and glassware to quirky home goods and kitchen finds. What’s your approach to curating the store’s inventory?

Again, thank you. I realized quickly how easy it is to become distracted and carried away when buying products for the space. I didn’t want to get carried away or lose sight of the overall vision so I had to come up with a guideline for myself which was simple, “Would I bring this to a (or would I want to have this at my own) dinner party?” If the answer is yes, let’s go for it. I love thinking outside the box too–for instance, maybe this isn’t something you would cook with or drink from, but this could be something that you set out for after-dinner hangs like a puzzle or what do I want the hand soap to smell like in my guest bathroom when they come over? I’m trying to also have fun with it by asking myself, would this be weird enough that could spark conversation? 

Even though Seconds is still relatively new on the scene, it feels like you’re building something with staying power. What’s next for the shop? Any upcoming projects or ideas you’re excited about?

This is just the beginning for Seconds! We just hosted our first official dinner party inside the space and it was so fun. We’ll be hosting more private dinner parties in the near future and also planning on hosting an open house sort of vibe where we can bring our friends & neighbors together for a little get-together. Other than that, our online shop is about to launch which will be great for those looking to pick something up on the way to a party but don’t have time to shop (or just want us to choose for them). And lastly, working on some special collabs with fellow shop owners and artists in town. Stay tuned!

What’s your favorite dish to cook at home?

Pasta with meat sauce. How much pasta is too much pasta? The answer is always seconds, pleaseee.

When you’re not hosting, what’re some of your favorite restaurants in town? 

I love the staples–city house, rolf–but I also really love Sperry’s! It’s timeless and classic. Can’t go wrong with the salad bar & a martini. I also really love Lyra–best hummus ever. Lastly, Butterlamp–a perfect cozy little spot.