There’s a new cozy shop nestled in downtown’s Historic City Market: Meet Blackbird Books & Coffee. Sisters-in-law Hannah and Bre Brunswick are hosting their grand opening Friday, July 21 for the shop featuring new books, specialty coffee, and events and workshops.
As business owners and entrepreneurs, it made sense for the duo to team up for this new endeavor. Bre is an English major and Hannah used to run a coffee shop, making for the perfect pair.
We sat down with the duo to chat about their vision for Blackbird, what events the shop plans on hosting, and they spilled the tea coffee on their favorite books.
Who sparked the idea to open Blackbird Books & Coffee?
Bre: We were talking about owning our own businesses and how hard it is to do it on your own. And we were like, ‘Man, it would be the dream to own a bookstore.’ And then we looked at each other and I said, ‘I’m serious.’ And Hannah said, ‘No, I’m serious!’ I couldn’t have done it by myself. We have two different skill sets and can combine them like a partnership should be.
What is the vision for Blackbird?
Bre: We want to be a creative community hub. So yes, it’s a bookstore and we have coffee, but our heart is really with events and supporting other makers. We aren’t necessarily an event space, but we want it to be synonymous with the coffee and books part.
Hannah: It’s important for us to be a safe space for people. We envision people coming here, no matter where they’re at in their lives or what they’re going through, and they can express themselves however they want to, find themselves in books, and be able to sit down and just feel comfortable.
Bre: We’re really intentional about the books we’re carrying. We’re carrying a lot of female, local, BIPOC, indigenous, and Queer authors.
Bonus: Are you a local maker? Fill out a vendor application for the possibility to have your handmade products sold at Blackbird.
What events do you plan on hosting?
Bre: Because we both have owned small businesses, we’re friends with a lot of the makers in the area. We want to do classes like candle making at least once a month.
Hannah: We’re also really excited to do poetry slams and workshops.
What is your favorite coffee drink and author/book?
Bre: We’re using Black and White Coffee Roasters — we planned everything from Black and White. And I get a regular latte with oat milk. My favorite author is Katherine May — she writes memoir style, but I feel like I’ve cried every time I’ve read her books because I just feel so deeply seen. “Wintering” was my favorite.
Hannah: I usually get a simple vanilla latte or whatever really crazy, interesting flavor they have on the menu. I’m reading “Maps of Our Spectacular Bodies” by Maddie Mortimer, which is a novel written in poetry and prose. It might become my favorite because it’s really really good.
Tell us about your book subscription box.
Hannah: Our members fill out a quiz with all of their preferences and we curate each book specifically for that member.
Bre: This has brought us a lot of joy.
Where are your go-to places in Raleigh?
Both: Black and White (obviously), Fine Folk is our favorite date night spot, Longleaf Swine, Raleigh Wine Shop, Burial Beer Co., and Edge of Urge.
