In our first days of exploring the space at 1635 Main Street, we discovered a trunk dating back to the early 1920’s in the corner of the basement. Included in this treasure chest was a gold-embossed calling card bearing a woman’s name: Lula Drake.

We scrapped together parts of her life story with the rest of the trunk’s contents; others, we filled in through conversations with those who knew her.

Lula Drake was a trailblazer. She owned her own hat shop in a business world dominated by men. She matured early, and married late. She went by Drake, never Lula. She preferred dark colors to pastels. And yet, she cut newspaper clippings on how to be a lady. Drake was full of contradictions, probably called the town eccentric. We bet she never minded.

This is a gathering place for the Drake in all of us. A place to share old memories and create new ones. A place for wine enthusiasts, sure. But also iconoclasts, romantics, professionals, students, gossips, stoics, local legends. And of course, those just passing through.