In one of my wife Lynndee’s recent posts, she told of the wonderful evening we spent with my life-long friend Lewis. He was in town visiting from the Philippines where he now lives after retiring. But not only did he treat us to a fantastic dinner, he, just like me, being a book lover, had another surprise in store for us. And ironically, with me being from Asheville, he took us to a place that I had no idea that it even existed.
Before we went to dinner, Lewis told us about Battery Park Book Exchange and Champagne Bar. It’s located in an historic building which once housed the National Weather Records Center. That entity has since relocated in the city and this new enterprise is one of the many unique places gracing the streets of downtown Asheville, making it one of the top tourist destinations in North Carolina.
Local interests. And me being the baseball lover I am, I should have got the book about professional baseball in Asheville for we have a storied history of the sport.
At the book exchange, one is encouraged to come in and browse just like at a library with one interesting difference: while looking around, you can do so with a glass of champagne or wine in hand. And though they do have signs up that tell you the books are for sale, not for reading, there are several areas and nooks set up with tables and chairs which almost say, “Why don’t you just sit down and stay awhile while reading and imbibing.”
As for me, though, it being my first time there, I spent my entire time wandering around, soaking in all the possible titles, in search of something new to stimulate my thirst for words. And was I ever rewarded!
A history lover’s heaven, an entire section about the Civil War.
One of the little book nooks, inviting one to sit down and enjoy a good read and a fine sip.
One entire section was nothing but books concerning the Civil War, one of my historical loves and something that I have an historical ancestral link to. There were other sections devoted strictly to military history, philosophy, spirituality, American presidents, local history and almost any genre a discriminating reader would be interested in. But of course, in alphabetical order by author, just like at the library, were hundreds, if not thousands, of fiction choices. Most were of an older variety though there were some newer titles available. There were also a section of books locked up in the shelves, first editions and such, which were priced in the high-dollar range. That certainly perked my interest for I have a few of such dating back to the 1920’s, written by Col. John W. Thomason, a man who came to be known as the Kipling of the Corps, as in Marine Corps. His books are a compilation of short stories, many based on true events of his service in WWI, the Banana Wars and his duty as a China Marine. But not only did he write the stories, he also done the illustrations. Though I do love these books, for the right price, I could be prompted to part with them.
My fave, Pinot Noir.
While there, Lewis and I did partake of a few sips. Lewis had a taste for the bubbly, one that had a fancy name I can’t even spell, much less pronounce. Not being a bubbly guy myself, I stuck to my preference of Pinot Noir, it too having a fancy name and spelling I can’t remember. All that matters is that it was truly delectable.
Lewis and I go back a long way; we met in the first grade and went all the way through high school together. I helped get him a job during high school and one after graduation when he was in college. But after he graduated college, we parted ways. He became a businessman and world traveler while I stayed around the old homestead pursuing my own version of the American Dream. Still, we remained friends and kept in constant touch. And though we traveled different paths, we now have even more in common than our friendship.
Twenty-five years ago while on a business trip to Kenya, Lewis met a Filipino lady. She was there working for the UN and after all was said and done, they got married. From that point on, he kept telling me that I needed a Filipino wife. Initially, I dismissed that suggestion because I felt he was just kidding me. But over the years, he never let up reminding me of that piece of advice. It was twenty-some-years later that I took that to heart after meeting Lynndee, my co-blogger here, and the rest is history. Thanks for the tip, Lewis!
As things stand now, I plan to also pursue his path in another way. He has retired to the Philippines with his wife, and now that I’ve retired, Lynndee and I are making plans to do the same, which has delighted him because to visit each other, travel will just be 650 miles as opposed to 10,000 miles. Works for me!
Lewis performed one other touching act on our night out. While at the book exchange, he was raving about a novel and author I was unfamiliar with. He went and found a particular book by this guy, Richard Russo, entitled Empire Falls, and insisted that he was going to buy it for me. I had found another book I wanted and before I could even blink and eye, he grabbed it from me and said that the two would be my early Christmas gift. Wow! All I can say is, what an ever-loving friend! And once Lynndee and I get to the Philippines, Lewis and I will have so many tales and experiences to share with each other as we catch up on all the years we spent apart. I can hardly wait.
It’s so cool that you and your first-grade buddy are still best friends. What a cozy place to sit down to read and enjoy your favorite wine or champagne.
It is way too cool to have had a friend for almost my entire life.
Now THAT’S the way to enjoy books! This has to be the fanciest book related anything I’ve ever seen. How great!
That place truly is out of this world!
My husband is an avid reader, so he would be in HEAVEN at a place like that. I am emailing this to him to show him right now 😉
If I go there and drink wine, I don’t think I would be able to read lol. A glass of wine will make me sleep!
Surely one glass wouldn’t send you to la-la land…(“,)
That sounds like a great night out! I am a huge book (and wine) lover so this is right up my alley. I love the idea of browsing old books and its cool that it is a historic place too!
I have never heard of a place to have a nice glass of wine and read my favorite book. I would love to have something like that where I live.
This is such a great idea. I love a good book exchange. I have left books at a few local book exchanges. Just because I no longer read a book, does not mean someone else cannot enjoy it.
What an awesome environment to catch up with your friend in. It will be great when you guys can catch up more often!
For sure. I can hardly wait until the time comes when we’re living in the same country again.
I love books and wine. This sounds like a perfect night out to me! What a great thing to be a part of.
Your friendship has gone a long way. That bookstore is interesting. My husband is also a great fan of history books and like you, his eyes would feast on those books.
Wow! This sounds like a great place to enjoy a glass of wine and a good book. I wish it were closer to where I lived because I would head there this weekend!
What a fun way to enjoy a couple of good books!! I love a good Pinot Noir too 🙂
what a nice place to read books.. but the champagne bar could bring trouble 😉 I may need more than a glass of wine
Well, they did have beer too, many from some of our local breweries. But as for me, like you, I coulda used more than a glass of wine, such as a good shot of Bushmill’s Irish Whisky. But, alas, they didn’t have a permit to serve the hard stuff.
Isn’t it amazing that friendships form the strongest bonds? I have not had contact with my best friends in grade school. My husband would love that place. Thanks for sharing.
Glad to share, Annemarie. And the bond between me and my friend surely has withstood the test of time.
Now that is a great atmosphere to meet up with an old friend. Best of both worlds, I’d say.
It certainly was a great place for us to go for we are of the same mind about many things.
I love that you guys are still such strong friends. Books are such a great way to find common ground and something to share. Enjoy!
I certainly did enjoy. Such a time and place just goes to show why we are and have remained best friend for over 50 years.
I want to grab the book I’m reading right now and go have a seat in there! What a quaint little place to keep up your feet and read your favourite book!
What a beautiful place! I would love to just sit in there with a good book!
Look at all those books! Oh I would be in heaven and add a champagne bar? I need to pack my bags.
Get ’em packed. See ya when you get here…(“,)
I want to visit this bookstore! And to think a friend from so far away introduced you to a gem in your own backyard…. that’s awesome!!
It truly was an awesome experience. Then again, I’ve turned him onto a few things during our times together so he was just returning the favor. What are friends for?
I have to attest that being friends with your first grade buddies is not only the coolest thing, but it is an amazing blessing! To be in this setting at this book event and being able to share this interest and to plan on being closer physically again when you retire is a testament to your true friendship!
It truly is a blessing. And oh so soon, we’ll be able build even more on this life-long friendship.
650 miles is way better than 10,000. All about perspective, isn’t it? 🙂
You better believe it’s a way better situation. We’ll both save bunches on air fare just to get together.