Josh Choi, owner of the popular tea shop Winterbloom Tea, is bringing a new cocktail lounge to Fayetteville. 

The building formerly home to Fowler’s Barbecue at 723 W Rowan St. will soon be transformed into a classy hangout where adults can enjoy classic cocktails.

“Winterbloom in general, we’ve had a lot of growth, post COVID. And we have been looking to expand for quite some time,” commented Choi. 

The name of the new cocktail lounge is Archives, Choi shared some details about the inspiration behind the name.

“We wanted a name that felt very, I guess, true to kind of a speakeasy vibe…something that was classy that could really, I guess epitomize the vibe that we were kind of going for…something more neutral. That felt still classy. And then the fact that we are working on classic cocktails kind of like synonymous or relating to bringing the old cocktails out of the archives.”

Choi said he intends for this space to function as a neighborhood bar for Haymount that can accommodate business meetings, first dates or casual nights out alone or with friends. 

“I want to create that atmosphere where you do feel welcomed, you feel like you’re at home,” said Choi.

As things move very quickly, Choi shared that his main priority is getting the ABC permits pulled as that is one to-do that takes some time. 

“We're focusing on more classic cocktails, true old fashions, daiquiris, gimlets, sidecars, things like that. I want my bartenders to be very well versed in the nuances of like different bourbons, like sweeter bourbons versus I guess more like barrel bourbons, more botanical gins versus– more Juniper forward, less Juniper forward–I want them to have that knowledge. And then, of course, we'll have some high end bourbons in general and scotches and other spirits,” stated Choi.

Though the process is still in early stages and it’s hard to predict how quickly things will progress, Choi is hopeful that the cocktail lounge may be able to open at the end of this year. 

Another element subject to change as the business gets closer to opening are the hours of operation. Choi said as of now he’s thinking the lounge will operate Wednesday through Sunday from 3 p.m. to 12 a.m.

Choi shared that he has already secured staff from Winterbloom to work at the lounge as well. Recia Copeland, an employee at Winterbloom, will serve as the main managing person on the front end at the new location.