Paper & Vine Book Bar has opened in Midland, Tex., in Ally Village Square at 200 Spring Park Drive. The Reporter-Telegram reported that the business, formerly known as Main Squeeze Midland romance bookstore, relocated from the Micro Market downtown and is relaunching "with a new twist, offering wine, beer and dirty sodas for its customers to enjoy."
Co-owners Amanda Wilson, her sister, Megan Dixon, and their mother, Terri Matthews, hosted a grand opening celebration on August 9. "It's a real family affair," Wilson said. "We created the space because we love reading and we love the community. We wanted a place where everyone could come and kind of feel that community and bond over something we all enjoy."
Paper & Vine Book Bar was renamed "to reflect both the wider reading selection and the wine aspect of the store," the Reporter-Telegram noted. The bookstore, which previously focused on the contemporary romance genre, is expanding its book selections to include a larger mystery and thriller section, as well as memoirs, children's books, cookbooks, self-development, and more.
"We wanted to expand our titles a little bit as well as expand our services," Wilson said. "We were in such a small space that was amazing for starting out, and we're extremely grateful for the opportunity we had at the Micro Market. It truly showed us that we wanted to continue to do it."
The book bar will continue to host a Book of the Month club, featuring contemporary romance reads, while adding new book clubs for other genres like thrillers and fantasy. Also new is the Bottle & Book subscription service, through which subscribers receive a wine bottle paired with a book. The store also sells stationery and other book-related merchandise.
Wilson said they are open to customer feedback and ideas: "We want to welcome everyone in. We don't want it to be a place that's exclusive; we want people of all different backgrounds and communities to feel welcomed here. We are all readers, and we just want to create a welcoming community."