Wine, juice, yoga and plants: New National Avenue spot will be an oasis of calm
Looking for a little serenity with a side of juice? Or how about a lush spot for some yoga followed by a cocktail or a glass of wine?
That’s what The Willow aims to be, a spot with something for just about everyone. It’s a new “collective” of local artists, exercise instructors and other female collaborators.
The new venture has been pulled together by entrepreneurs Avena Kiely, who owns The Grove on Main Street, Erin Goins, owners of Bites of the Bluegrass, and Dani Dunmire, who owns First Dance Studio, along with Ray Kiely, Avena’s brother and co-owner of The Grove.
“Avena loves a collective, and has done a brilliant job at the Grove,” Goins said. “She wanted to something that incorporates exercise, coffee, juice, a wine bar and more. ... She really created some magic here for sure.”
The Willow, adorned by new murals by Kentucky artist Wylie Caudill, will be opening in the Warehouse Block at 825 National Ave., on March 17, Goins said.
“The Willow is a women-founded collective fostering community, creativity, and connections. With a cozy wellness bar, a sophisticated wine bar, and a versatile event space, it’s the perfect place to gather, collaborate, or unwind,” she said in a statement.
It’s in the former Blushery building, next to Wild Lab Bakery. It joins a bustling area of small businesses, many food- and hospitality-related, including Mirror Twin Brewery, Blue Door Smokehouse, Sav’s Gourmet Ice Cream, Season’s Catering, La Petite Delicat, Minton’s and Epping’s on Eastside, among others.
Programming at The Willow will vary, depending on the time of day. In the morning, patrons will be able to sign up for small, low-impact sculpting classes like yoga and barre from exercise instructors who will be renting space in a back area called the Conservatory.
Then, about 2:30 p.m., that space will shift into a bar with wines and cocktails, with lots of non-alcoholic options and food as well, Goins said. The space also will have lots of different markets and artists. And they plan to launch a book club.
Among the collaborators:
- Wine menu by Renee Saunier Brewer, former operator of Wine + Market
- Cocktail menu, named for historical local women, by Evan Akers and Erin Cox of Harvey’s Bar
- Charcuterie by Lauren Miller of Fable
- Wellness bar food by Natalia Tejera of Natalia’s Pastry Shop
- Wellness bar juice by Diana and Juliana of Zumos Juice Bar
- Grab-and-go Flower Bouquets by Carly Reed of In Bloom
- Coffee by Erin Hilton of The Greenery
- Signature Room Fragrance for The Willow by Marine Fiske and Kami Risk of Wick + Mortar Studio
“We will make a nice, welcome, open space for the community,” she said. “The perfect little collection down here.”
They will even have a piano where people can drop in and play. If you want to book the space for an event, that’s also doable, she said.
“Adults are looking for a serene place to kick back and enjoy some wine,” she said. “The Warehouse Block deserves some feminine energy. We adore Mirror Twin and that’s fun ... or you can come down here for more of a peaceful adult scene.”
