The Vibrary, a wine and bookbar that opened in Stone Mountain, Ga., over the summer, is finding its footing and building community, Atlanta Eater reported.
Store owner Candace Walker focuses on books with uplifting stories and messages by Black authors or featuring POC protagonists. The books are displayed on shelves and bookcases as well as on the Vibrary's bistro tables, allowing patrons easily to browse books while they have a drink. Walker has hosted three book signings since the store's August grand opening, and more are in the works for the coming months.
The Vibrary's bar menu emphasizes wines that are organic and biodynamically harvested, and while individual wines are swapped in or out, there are always four reds, four whites and three sparkling wines on the menu. The store doesn't have a full kitchen, but Walker does serve a variety of light snacks including charcuterie boards, with vegan options available.
In addition to an eight-seat bar, the Vibrary has bistro tables and couches, with an elevated, comfortable atmosphere that has a "wine speakeasy feel." Walker added: "I just wanted people to be able to get away from the crazy madness of the outside world and the inundation of bad news, to be able to come and relax."
Walker, who has lived in Stone Mountain since she was in middle school, also works in forensics for a local police department by day and does voice acting gigs. She told Atlanta Eater that she always wanted to give back to the Stone Mountain community in some way and help the town's revitalization.
She came up with the idea that would become the Vibrary with the help of a business partner. Though that business partner eventually backed out for personal reasons, Walker decided to go ahead with opening the store on her own.
Atlanta Eater noted that the Vibrary, which is a Black-owned business, is located in a building that "may have once housed a Confederate museum" and is less than a mile from a park featuring a monument to Confederate leaders. Nevertheless, the vast majority of all of Walker's interactions with community members have been positive and affirming.
"I get the feeling I will be there as long as I feel like I'm supposed to be there," Walker said. "Then, times that by infinity, because I would love to be a longstanding business in the village operating amongst other great businesses."