Downtown Manitowoc’s newest social gathering space is inviting the public to a night of literacy and camaraderie.
The Nook, Manitowoc’s first-ever mocktail lounge and bookstore, has invited over 50 authors and bookish vendors to The Venue for their first major event since opening last year.
They are calling it The Nook Collective.
Co-owners Lilly Schuette and Jessica Nicholson noted that a majority of the authors coming are what most would consider “smaller authors”, but that is by design.
“We really try our hardest to support these smaller authors, trying to get their name out there,” Lilly explained.
She added that all of the authors attending are “Midwest-based authors, or originally from the area and then moved away.”
All book lovers are encouraged to attend, as there will be a wide array of genres represented.
Included on the list is Anastasia Wilder, who writes cowboy romance books, fantasy author Rebecca Zarno, who also made an appearance at The Nook last year, McKenzie Burns, who writes sports romances, and another fantasy author, Morgan Kielisch.
Jessica noted, “We tried to get people from each genre.”
On top of the meet and greets with the authors, there will be a multitude of vendors on hand selling handcrafted goods, Sonja Vasquez will be doing flash tattoos, and desserts will be available.
Also, Lully and Jessica will be serving their own items, specifically their mocktails.
But, as Jessica explains, a lot of thought and effort go into creating the menu.
“I think people are usually surprised, because when they think of mocktails, they are thinking of touched-up sodas and juice. No, we have a full lineup,” she explained. “We have nonalcoholic gin, tequila, and bourbon. We have everything that’s supposed to mock the original taste of a cocktail.”
Lilly admitted that their space is more geared towards the feminine side, specifically because of the décor, but there have been several times where women bring their wives or boyfriends, who walk away pleasantly surprised.
“One big example is the Whiskey Pineapple Smash,” she said. “I always recommend that and the Old Fashioned Escnence, and usually men love them, and they are surprised at how they taste just like a normal cocktail.
The Nook Collective Author and Vendor Fair is scheduled for May 3rd, and there are multiple ticket packages available.
You can purchase yours at Eventbrite.com or by visiting The Nook’s Facebook or Instagram pages.
