If, in a world of tweets and algorithms, you wish you could wander aimlessly through the aisles of a local brick-and-mortar bookstore, you’re in luck.
Bards Alley, a cozy independent bookstore and café on historic Church Street in Vienna, boasts not only a hand-curated inventory of over 5,000 fiction, nonfiction, and children’s titles, but also a unique collection of cards and gifts. Their robust menu includes locally sourced foods, beers, and wines by the glass and bottle, which can be enjoyed at the bar, outside on the patio, or taken home.
The store’s tranquil and inviting ambiance appeals to readers of all ages. Jen Morrow, a Vienna resident who founded Bards Alley in July 2017, aims to create an experience personalized to every customer’s needs.
“Reading a print book is a powerful and world-building activity that technology just can’t beat,” Morrow says. “In that spirit, Bards Alley’s mission is to unite the community around the love of reading. We do this by spotlighting book reviews by young customers and our staff, hosting book clubs and author talks, and putting on events for the whole family.”
What’s more, you can count on Bards Alley to be a “match-maker” of books and wine through their new “Books and Wine Are Kindred Spirits” program—a monthly book-and-wine pairing of the month sold in-store. (The program’s name is a play on their tagline, “books, wine, kindred spirits.”) Books are specially paired with bottles of wine available on their menu.
Learn more about Bards Alley on their website: www.bardsalley.com.
