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Bookstore turned dining spot aims to build community.
Beow’s Books & Brews’ story is still being written. The mystical North Raleigh spot for book lovers and brew enthusiasts (pronounced more like Beowulf and less like your cat’s meow) has been buzzing with new additions since it opened last November—and that was just the beginning. Originally serving only books and bevs, the shop’s next chapter spiced things up via a kitchen added in late April, with a full menu rolling out in May.
The food is a unique fusion of Italian and Mediterranean flavors with Southern comfort staples—a nod to owner Jim Ranieri’s roots as a New York Italian who grew up in Raleigh. Ranieri opened Beow’s alongside business partner Chad Mastny, a Nebraska native who moved to the City of Oaks in 1988.
Bearing Lord of the Rings-inspired names, the dishes span breakfast, lunch and dinner—think biscuits (The Bilbo features Italian breakfast sausage, a fried egg and provolone), egg bites, sandwiches (see: the veg-forward Legolas), salads and charcuterie. Drinkswise, there’s locally made craft beers (natch), wine, Mystic Monk Coffee and tea.
As for the literature, customers can browse books of ample genres ranging fiction, theology, philosophy, politics, culture, etc.—and titles by the likes of C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, Susanna Clarke and Walker Percy.
But Beow’s true destiny isn’t just books or food—it’s community. The spot has become a home for dozens of group gatherings and events aimed at sparking conversation, with a calendar chock-full of trivia nights, movie nights, a monthly comedy series hosted by Raleigh’s own Gerry Potoka, a speaker series and live music gigs. Not to mention book clubs, art clubs and even Bible studies.
And turning the page yet again, a second, larger location is on deck for this fall, promising even more space for your next great conversation. With the current high demand for events, the larger space will allow the Beow’s crew to host more groups wanting to meet, learn and engage.
So, though its story is still in the making, Beow’s looks like it’s headed for happily ever after. beows.com
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