Books & Brews

Books & Brews Opens in Castleton, Ind.

With the tagline "read, drink, converse," Books & Brews has opened in Castleton, Ind., the Indianapolis Star reported.

For owner Jason Wuerfel, 33, a graduate of the University of Michigan and English major, "the bookstore was always the dream. And then, when the market collapsed, there was no viability in a bookstore. How do you make your margins in order to survive?" Beer was the answer.
Wuerfel was inspired by Spotty Dog Books & Ale, Hudson, N.Y., and much of his financing came from crowdsourcing: more than 150 backers pledged $17,264. 

Wuerfel also handmade "every table, chair, barstool, bookshelf, and even the 7-foot bar in the back half of the store," the paper said, and he brews all beers onsite. (People who pledged $500 or more to the store can "help design a brew, name it, make it and put it on tap.")

Books & Brews is located at 9402 Uptown Dr., Suite 1400, Castleton, Ind. 46256; 317-288-5136.

Via Shelf Awareness