Candace Walker has built a wine-and-book bar side hustle while holding down a demanding full-time role as a crime lab director. Based in Atlanta, the 42-year-old opened The Vibrary in 2021, creating a community space where people can gather over wine and books. Balancing the two has required careful planning, a flexible schedule, and a circle of friends willing to step in when she needs rest.
From Zoom Calls to a Brick-and-Mortar Space
The idea for The Vibrary took shape early in the pandemic. Walker and her friends held Zoom calls where they discussed the books they were reading while enjoying a glass of wine. Those virtual gatherings offered relief from COVID-related stress and deepened their connections. Walker believed she could recreate that experience in person for a wider community.
She grew up near Stone Mountain Village in Atlanta, now a historic district, and remembered visiting as a child. In 2020, while driving down Main Street, she noticed many changes—some businesses had closed, but plenty of people were out walking, and a new brewery was busy. She spotted a vacant space and contacted a real estate agent. Another party had already signed the lease, but less than a week later that offer fell through. Walker decided to take the chance, paying a deposit at the end of 2020.
Fitting Into the Neighborhood
Walker was intentional about how The Vibrary would fit alongside existing businesses. Since there were already restaurants nearby, she chose to focus on wine rather than a full menu. She also considered what was already in the Village and what she heard was coming. The result was a wine-and-book bar.
Launching her first business brought challenges, particularly supply chain disruptions during the pandemic. She aimed for a soft opening on July 16, 2021, working against a tight timeline to secure permits, find electrical and plumbing help, and buy furniture and appliances. She purchased three dishwashers, but the orders were either lost or canceled. Despite those setbacks, the soft opening happened on July 16, and a grand-opening ribbon-cutting followed in August.
Making a Dual Schedule Work
Walker manages the day-to-day operations of The Vibrary while working full time as a director of a crime lab. She anticipated that the first five years would demand sacrifice. A close-knit group of friends made it possible to manage both roles. During the first two years, friends would run the bar for a couple of hours while she took a nap. She learned to adjust her schedule, accept help, and manage her time—though it has meant sacrificing time with family and friends.
She also decided to open three days a week, a pace she finds manageable alongside her full-time job. The Vibrary hosts some events on Sundays, but Walker generally uses that day to rest and recover from the week before starting fresh.
Pivots and a Changing District
Now in its fifth year, The Vibrary still aligns with Walker’s original vision: a third space where people can connect without driving all the way to downtown Atlanta or Decatur. Some adjustments have been made. She quickly discovered that books were not a large part of sales and pivoted accordingly. The Village has also become an entertainment district, and as a participating business, The Vibrary can provide a sticker that allows patrons to walk around with their wine—useful during outdoor festivals and concerts.
Walker sees the designation as helping to revitalize the area. New businesses continue to open, which she views as a positive sign. More activities encourage people to stay longer and spend more, benefiting the broader area.
Looking Ahead to Expansion
The space continues to grow. The Vibrary is recommended by the community for private events and local author book signings, which have been successful to host. Walker’s focus is on generating enough revenue to expand her staff, step away from day-to-day operations, and grow the business, including opening more locations.
For now, she acknowledges the ongoing sacrifices—time with friends and family, and many sleepless nights—as she works toward those goals.
