New romance bookstore + wine bar coming to Raleigh’s West End

Bright Side Books & Wine will open at Kane Realty’s Platform apartment complex this fall as an independently owned book store with perfectly paired wines for a vast catalog of romance novels.

RAL_PlatformAerial_AUG2025

Platform apartments is attracting small businesses to Raleigh’s growing West End neighborhood.

Photo provided by Kane Realty

Downtown Raleigh is gaining a spot for romance readers + wine lovers with a cozy space in a burgeoning neighborhood. Bright Side Books & Wine, owned and operated by Susannah Baird, promises a community space in addition to a space for local + independent authors to thrive. Bright Side will open at Platform apartments this fall, according to Kane Realty.

In addition to romance reads and vino, expect trivia nights, themed book clubs, author gatherings, and more community events for NC’s creative community. Bright Side was also funded by the community, with a recent Kickstarter receiving $51,400 from the community.

Bright Side will join The Bike Library, Homebody Yoga & Wellness, and Mood Raleigh nail salon at Platform + The West End, and Kane’s nearby Oldham & Worth project is now under construction, too. Learn more about Bright Side from their Instagram.

More from RALtoday
In case you hadn’t noticed, Raleigh’s growing in a big way, and some mixed-use developments are set to transform downtown + Midtown in 2026 and beyond. Here’s what you need to know about three major developments.
If you’re looking for plans to bring in the new year, Raleigh is bustling with events. Explore each event and plan where you’ll bring in 2025.
Sponsored
Raleigh restaurants, cafes, and diners serving up all the eggs, pancakes, mimosas, and other brunch favorites you want to eat.
For the first time since 1990, you can back the Pack in the NCAA men’s soccer finals — and it’s all happening in Cary.
If you’re a fan of real trees over artificial, this list is for you. We’re highlighting 10 local spots to pick up Christmas trees in Raleigh, including home delivery options, pre-flocked trees, and NC-famous Fraser firs.
Our readers have spoken — here are the best local spots our city has to offer, from the best coffee shop to the best apartment complex to the best dentist.
Hi Raleighite. It’s that time of year again — Spotify Wrapped is out, and so is ours. Ready to see how our year stacked up?
A grassroots effort is helping central NC properties become part of a nationwide habitat network.
Bookmark this guide for a curated list of events taking place each month that we’re most looking forward to.