As a young girl, nothing inspired Jen Morrow more than the thought that her favorite book was still yet to be written. As an adult, she was frustrated in the lack of childlike wonder she experienced from those around her. And thus was her passion born: to create a space in her local community where kindred spirits could gather to be surrounded by books, wine, and people to share them with.
Bards Alley was the realization of this dream. It is one part bookstore, one part cafe, and all parts a community space for those who want share in the joy of reading. She keeps the shelves stocked with a limited selection of books: some classics, some new publications. The cafe serves coffee and food, and in the evening you can choose from a rotating selection of wine and craft beer to accompany locally made bread, cheese, soup, and charcuterie. The store has an open floor plan with book shelves around the edge and most of the middle of the room dedicated to “family style” dining tables and lounge areas – everything in the alley is designed to foster and host a community of people who love to read and share ideas.
In the North Virginia suburbs of Washington D.C., its easy to feel alone and disconnected: it is a transient area where people and families move away just as fast as they came. This makes it difficult to build the types of meaningful relationships which allow people to get to know other people, and through them get to know more about the world. Bards Alley has become a place to find the people who value fellowship and ideas and allow them to interact in a space that provides the inspiration needed to kick-start the types of meaningful conversations which blossom into friendships and a sense of community.
“As a young girl, nothing inspired Jen Morrow more than the thought that her favorite book was still yet to be written.”
I love this! What if we all determined that we wouldn’t just accept things how they are, but we could look forward to a better future, and more than that, we could be a part of creating that better future? It sounds like Jen Morrow was able to funnel that thought into a tangible reality that is Bards Alley. Her focus on community has created an environment that people want to be a part of – definitely an environment that’d I’d like to check out some day!
What a cool idea! I have often read posts on the internet wishing a place like this existed–and now I know it does! Books, food, and community? Yes, I would like to visit please! I like the thought behind the location as well. As busy as DC tends to be, it is neat that there is a unique place where people can slow down and connect with like-minded people.