Exploring Life & Business with Beau and Jenna Black of The Bookcase and Barber

Today we’d like to introduce you to Beau and Jenna Black. Them and their team share their story with us below:

After working together in the local restaurant scene for several years, Beau and Jenna dreamed of creating a space where locals and visitors alike can gather to create memories that will last a lifetime. In 2015 they took a chance and transformed a 34-year-old Bookstore into what is now known as Durango’s Speakeasy. Beau tapped into his sous and executive chef experience and engineered and fulfilled his vision of a unique establishment for socializing and exchanging ideas. As an Aesthetic Nurse Specialist, Jenna’s passions lie in caring for others, and she works to make sure every guest feels comfortable and experiences the magic found beyond the bookcase. In the Spring of 2018, The Bookcase and Barber expanded, offering an additional space that takes you right into Gatsby’s home where guests can host their own private events in style. The Bookcase and Barber showcases Durango’s local talent while transporting you to another time with an intimate atmosphere, expertly-crafted cocktails with an emphasis on hospitality. We had no idea how special this dream of ours would become to so many others! 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has certainly been a ride! Starting a small business completely on our own posed challenges along the way. As a Chef and a Nurse, navigating all the behind-the-scenes tasks like business planning, accounting and bookkeeping were big learning curves! We are so lucky to have found a strong team at the beginning to help navigate this for us and still work with them all 6 years later. Being in the hospitality industry during the COVID-19 pandemic was also a bumpy road as well! Durango has always been supportive from the get-go and we are so fortunate! COVID-19 really helped us to become more efficient and we are so appreciative of the to-go alcohol law changes that are still currently in effect! 

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
The Bookcase and Barber is known as Durango’s speakeasy. We have three exceptional Barbers that have a business in front of ours, truly hiding our 60-person cocktail bar. We are so proud to be turning 6 this December. Our brand is unique and we are so proud of the customer experience our team creates each and every single day. Our team is what makes the bookcase so spectacular. We have bookcase original cocktails that people still ask for 6 years later! 

We are known for needing a password! You can find it in quotes on our website or also on our social media platforms! 

Any big plans?
We are in the midst of developing and publishing our first Bookcase Original cocktail recipe book! We will be bringing on more merchandise and apparel as well! We hope to be a Durango staple for decades to come! 

Contact Info:

• Email: info@bookcaseandbarber.com
• Website: https://bookcaseandbarber.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_bookcase_and_barber/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebookcaseandbarber

Image Credits:
The Bookcase and Barber