Listeners to WCCO radio have lost a familiar voice. Haskell’s Wine and Spirits’s longstanding owner and WCCO contributor Jack Farrell passed away. He was eighty-two. For over 50 years, Farrell was a constant on WCCO. He used to appear on Saturday mornings with Denny Long, and prior to that, he was a regular visitor of Charlie Boone’s “Weekly Wine Chat” portions.
“He’s been a part of WCCO Radio for so many years, as I have, and I worked with him certainly after Charlie Boone retired,” Long said. “Jack has been part of this Twin Cities’ scene, probably a year or two longer than I’ve been at CCO which is like 53 years.”
According to family members, Farrell went swimming on Saturday and died. Founded in 1934, Haskell’s Wine & Spirits was acquired by the Farrell family in 1970.
Haskell was a mainstay in the Twin Cities, renowned for his sophisticated look, extraordinary wine knowledge, and distinctive bow tie. Classic French wines were initially imported into Minnesota by the original Haskell’s, and Farrell would frequently appear on WCCO Radio from wine-producing regions of France including Champagne, Burgundy, and other areas.
Originally located at 7th and Hennepin, Haskell’s flagship store is now at 9th and Nicollet. Haskell’s has grown over the years to include 12 locations in Minnesota, including significant locations in Maple Grove, Woodbury, Stillwater, Plymouth, and Excelsior, in addition to an online store. Jack Farrell’s four kids all went into the booze industry after him.
