CLARENCE, N.Y. — The plaza across from Clarence High School on Main Street is where you'll soon be able to visit a bookstore with a bar.
"The concept of our bookstore bar is basically a space to host anybody," Co-Owner Devon Powers said. "Somebody who wants to be alone but read a book in public, and gather with friends hold their book clubs."
Devon and her daughter Peter are the team behind the store, which they're calling "Best Cellar Book Bar."
"I've always wanted to have a book store, my dad who's going into retirement has always wanted to have a bookstore, so it was a really neat concept of bringing two things together that people love," Powers said.
Devon announced the news on social media last week and received hundreds of excited messages.
"It's just been so validating," she said. "I've read everybody's comments and it's so nice to see that this is what people want in the community. "
The build-out is now underway, and they plan to open in the summer.
"In the back there's going to be a private space where people can actually reserve if they want to rent out a space for their book club. It's going to be free.," she said.
The storefront was one of the last available in the mixed-use building, which has become a hub of mainly women-owned small businesses.
"In this building, it's close to 90%," Developer Paul Stephen II said. "I think ten of the 10 of the 12 businesses are actually women-owned, which is kind of remarkable when you think about it, I think it's a testament to the people of Clarence and the surrounding areas and the small business owners that we cater to."
"It just fits right in with the embroidery shop, and the coffee and the salon," Devon said about her neighbors. "We just feel right at home here.. It's a good fit and for it to be prominently women-owned businesses it's amazing. It's the first business I've ever run and everybody's been so welcoming already that it's exciting to move in here."
Stay up to date with Best Cellar Book Bar on their Instagram page.