Beverages and much more are available at Liberty Grounds. (Courtesy photo)
LIBERTY – Two new business ventures are opening in Liberty with coffee themes and months of work in renovating buildings in an area of Randolph County that’s expected to grow rapidly.
Liberty Grounds has opened, featuring a coffee shop and market. Soon, Oak’s Beans, Hops and Vine will be up and running, specializing in gourmet coffee, North Carolina wines and rotation options of craft beer.
These are family operations and clearly new endeavors for the business owners.
“This is a totally new adventure for all of us,” said Ginger VanNess, who along with husband, Paul VanNess, bought the building at 129 South Fayetteville St. where Liberty Grounds is housed. “We know Liberty is going to be growing and there’s going to be a boom. … Liberty is going to take off and is growing and changing, and now is the time.”
That’s much how Angela and Mike Oakley viewed the scene when they launched their plan for Oak’s Beans, Hops and Vine at 251 North Asheboro St.
“It’s something I talked about as long as I can remember,” Mike Oakley said. “This was the dream I always wanted to do.”
So after 27 years in sales, he took the plunge.
Both of these families live in Guilford County a short drive from Liberty, where they’ve been spending lots of time. They consider themselves friends, though they weren’t aware of the parallel pursuits until they were well into their respective projects.
Big early turnout
Liberty Grounds opened July 20, and it was a special experience, Ginger VanNess said. More than 400 people showed up throughout the day.
“We were really overwhelmed,” she said. “We were totally unprepared for that type of support. I hope it stays this way.”
But the last few weeks have been smoother and still rewarding, she said.
Ginger VanNess works remotely in healthcare and that allows her to be on site. A manager, Heather Kennedy, has been hired.
The VanNess family bought the building, which had housed the town’s Post Office at one point and most recently had been a doctor’s office, last November and they did the labor in getting it in shape. They’d been working on the renovations since March.
Out of the 3,800 square feet, the shop occupies about 1,200 square feet. There’s also a room for meetings that visitors can use and what she refers to as the Liberty Grounds library, which is a book exchange area.
Ginger VanNess’ son Eli Gentry, who’s interested in a culinary career and has completed some courses at Guilford Tech, is handling many of the kitchen duties. But Gentry, 17, will be back in school soon as a rising senior at Southeast Guilford.
The barista is Meadow Skipworth.
The menu offers salads along with items from a Jamestown bakery. Soon, there could be more.
Ginger VanNess wants to pursue an ABC license. There already has been a younger clientele than she expected.
“My main focus is a community hub,” she said. “So far, that’s exactly what I think we’re getting.”
The hours are 6:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday.
Ginger VanNess said they’d like to expand the space of the shop or perhaps lease some of it for a vintage market.
“We’re all learning together,” she said.
Something for everyone
That might also describe how it’s going for the Oakley family. They’ve been working on renovating the leased building for Oak’s Beans, Hops and Vine.
“When I committed to this, I’m here every day doing something,” Mike Oakley said. “A little bit more work than I was expecting.”
He has had help, including from children Joseph and Caroline, who’ve helped with painting among other projects. There was plenty of electoral work as part of the upgrades.
The goal is a late-August opening once as they wait for an inspection and apply for an alcohol permit
This, too, will be primarily a family-run operation.
Mike Oakley said a lounge room and what might be described as a game room or arcade will be part of the venue.
“Kind of something for every age,” he said. “It’s very inviting.”
The building, with about 2,000 square feet, previously served several businesses. A tanning salon, a thrift store and a florist were past occupants.
The features will include a bar and an area to view televisions. There will be a fixture that can display 72 wine bottles.
The Oakleys are partnering with Carolina Coffee Roasting Co. in Greensboro.
Initially, the expected hours will be 7 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Saturday.
“Really looking forward to opening and getting to know even more people in Liberty,” Angela Oakley said.
