It would be nice if I could always travel to my favorite places in the world—but that gets expensive. To that end, I've tried to be a little more supportive of my own hometown and find places nearby where I can get out, get away, and have a relaxing afternoon or evening. And fortunately, I found several, all relatively close to where I grew up.
As I write this up on a particularly rainy day, I'm thinking about these lovely little places: places where I can do some reading or writing, shop for books, or otherwise enjoy myself in the kind of atmosphere I crave. And it doesn't hurt that everything on this list is a small business, and I am all about shouting out small businesses wherever I can!
Busy Nothings Coffee
All I have to say to my friends is "Jane Austen themed coffee shop" and no further context is needed. Busy Nothings Coffee is tucked away in the shops of Port Warwick, right where Discover Teas used to have their Peninsula store. The inside is bright enough for reading but dim enough for calm, and the seating is separated out so you can have just about as much privacy as you want. Some networking groups use it as a meeting place, and for good reason! Just be sure to avoid lunch hour if you're aiming for peak quiet time.
The menu features coffee and tea (including Chapters teas!), blended energy drinks, and a variety of sweet and savory meal and snack options. Literary fans will love the Jane Austen, Bridgerton, and Outlander-themed selections. My go-to is a Daphne and the Duke (rose cardamom tea latte) and an order of their pimento cheese with crackers. The staff are super friendly and helpful and the shop itself is welcoming—pretty much everything I have coming out in the near future will issue in whole or in part from a series of writing sessions there.
Paperbacks Ink
In the other direction is Paperbacks Ink, a shop that's been around for a while but is under new management as of a few years ago. This purveyor of new and used books is a godsend, whether you're an avid reader or a local author.
Thanks to their business model, which runs largely on donations of used books, Paperbacks Ink can offer both new and used books at consistent, affordable prices. They also host events, rent out event space, and have great deals for local authors looking to showcase their books. It makes me extremely happy that there's a non-chain bookstore nearby, and one that's looking to spotlight local talent!
In the back, there's Tastefully Philly Cafe, right near some well-placed tables and outlets. While I haven't had everything on their menu, what they do offer is fantastic. I'm a big fan of the chickpea salad sandwich. And when they say they have "the best banana pudding" (a bold claim not far from a certain barbecue restaurant famous for theirs)... they're not kidding.
Styx & Stones Moon Market
If you like outdoor markets but don't like the push and shove of larger locations, the Moon Market hits the perfect balance. Set along Main Street in my beloved Historic Hilton Village, the event is hosted by Styx & Stones and takes place on the first Friday evening of every month (weather permitting). Artists, crafters, food and drink vendors—and yes, local authors!—can grab a table outside the Village's historic shops.
Though I've only just started attending these, I've already seen a broad span of goods at the stalls. New books, soaps, scents, cookies, accessories, knickknacks, and artwork are all on display. There was even a tabletop gaming vendor offering some really gorgeous 3D-printed terrain, and a trailer serving up coffee.
Wander down between 6 and 9 pm on the first Friday of each month. Heck, I might even sell some books there someday in the future.
While I do travel a lot, and London is probably my favorite city in the world, these little corners of Newport News mean a lot to me. If you're ever in the area, be sure to give them a look. And wherever you are, it's always a good idea to support small businesses. They're the places that make us feel the most welcome.
About the Author
Kara Dennison is an author, journalist, anime enjoyer, reader, guinea pig owner, and tea drinker. Not necessarily in that order.
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