That Book Store in Wethersfield, Conn., which opened last July, was recently issued a tavern permit and "now offers beer, wine and cider to patrons ages 21 and up," the Hartford Courant reported, adding that "visitors can drink their beverage of choice at a selection of cafe tables surrounded by bookshelves in the center of the bookstore. Just no browsing with a beverage in hand."
"It's a common space. A place you want to hang out and have a drink without it being pretentious. It's not going to be a bar. It's always going to be about the books," said co-owner Karen Opper, who approached the town plan and zoning commission shortly after opening to request permission to serve alcohol. She then went to the state and applied for a liquor license and tavern permit, which went into effect this month.
That Bookstore is currently offering two varieties of wine, a cider and two beers. Opper is planning to bring in four to five more varieties of wine and a few more beers by local Connecticut brewers. "We want to support our local brewers and we really want to push local,” she said.
Opper hopes the liquor license will increase the popularity and frequency of gatherings at the bookshop. "We feel a lot closer to the community," she said. "We want to be a hub for people.... We have a lot of book clubs who want to meet here, especially now that we have a tavern permit. Someone also reached out and asked whether they could host a philosophy group here. We're also starting a monthly trivia night on Valentine's Day. Of course it's going to be literary themed but we have other themes lined up, as well."