There is a new neighborhood bottle shop, bar and intimate event space getting ready to open along the increasingly popular corridor of W. Geer Street. LouElla will offer curated wine, craft beer, and fortified selections from family operated producers.

I spoke with owner/proprietor, Campbell (Cam) Davis, to fill me in about his vision and plans for the shop, whose name and mission is inspired by his great aunt LouElla, known for her warmth, hospitality and generous spirit.

After a particularly frustrating morning in Fall 2017, Davis stopped by the Accordion Club to chat with his friend, Scott Richie (owner of the bar). Feeling much better after a beer and hot dog, their conversation turned to the neighborhood and all the great changes happening around Geer Street. When I Davis saw the ‘For Lease’ sign next door on his way out, he knew it would be the perfect location for LouElla, an idea he had been kicking around for a long time. LouElla is really a culmination of Davis’ 20+ years of hospitality industry experience, having had the privilege of working for some of Durham’s finest locally and nationally recognized establishments, including Hutchins Garage, Guglhupf, Rue Cler and Durham Catering Company. He brings a wealth of wine and beverage knowledge, not only from his extensive restaurant experience, but also from his tenure as Durham/Chapel Hill area sales manager for wine distributor Bordeaux, Fine and Rare.

LouElla will offer a curated selection of wine, beer, fortified beverages at the main counter/bar, and a tasting bar in the back that will double as a private event space for up to 25 people. The selection will focus on small, family-operated wineries and vineyards in classic, balanced, food-friendly styles. The beer selection will feature North Carolina craft brewers and traditional Eastern European imports. At the main bar, they will also feature lower ABV cocktails made with fortified and aromatized wines. “Our goal is to introduce these products to customers, and to educate them on some simple cocktails to serve at home,” Davis explains.

The interior of the shop is being designed as an open and casual space with some hideaways to slip into for a little more privacy. “I have called in a lifetime’s worth of favors to get the space exactly as I envision it,” Davis half jokes. “My brother, Trey Davis, has been a huge help. Trey is a contractor out of Fairhope, Alabama where I’m originally from. Jennifer Noone is working with me on the design and is sourcing some incredible North Carolina lumber for the bar top and shelving. Carpenter Evan Wittels out of Cary does amazing work and has been essential in putting all my ideas together.” The original floor have been sanded down to showcase its beauty and character from 80 years of wear. Cam’s “pet project” has been to build the bar top out of beautiful planks of ambrosia maple. The wall and back bar are built with live-edge cedar, poplar, and some of the old floor joists. “These joists are true 2×12 inch pine and original to the building. I love having that little bit of the building’s history throughout the space,” Davis shares. With so much great food close by, LouElla will be utilizing its relationships with friends and neighbors for takeout and special events, including Hutchins Garage, Geer Street Garden, Rue Cler and many more. And there will be some prepackaged foods sourced locally whenever possible.

Part of LouElla’s charm is that it is so much more than a bottle shop and bar: It’s a place to gather, connect, and regroup, with the goal to offer things that excite, comfort, and delight–and that make customers want to share that experience with others.

All that’s left now is installation and finishing work. The shop will be open by the end of February, running some promotions and events, including the grand opening planned for March 1st.