Woman holding scissors and ribbon at Traveler’s Tea & Tomes grand opening — Katie McCarl poses in front of her new book cafe business in downtown Oneonta. (Traveler’s Tea & Tomes)

A new chapter is beginning for a downtown Oneonta storefront. Traveler’s Tea & Tomes just opened its doors, stepping into a space previously occupied by Grapes & Hops.

The new business offers a cozy environment dedicated to:

Reading
Puzzles
Book clubs
Loose-leaf tea

Grapes & Hops will maintain a scaled-down presence within the location, continuing to offer a curated selection of wine for sale and hosting special tasting classes.

From healthcare to a new business in Oneonta

Owner Katie McCarl transitioned into business ownership after working in the medical field. Seeking a career change due to burnout, she decided to pursue a long-held dream of establishing a local book cafe in Oneonta.

“I was praying one day, completely burnt out, and asked God to guide me…

So I quit using the degree I went to school for and dove head first into the unknown!”
Katie McCarl

Supporting local makers and Alabama-grown Piper and Leaf tea

Traveler’s Tea & Tomes emphasizes regional products throughout the shop. The cafe features work from local authors, craft makers and artists immediately upon entry.

The beverage menu highlights Piper and Leaf Tea Company, a specialty artisan tea blender based out of Huntsville. The tea company sources 75% of its ingredients directly from Alabama farms, aligning with the cafe’s mission to keep economic support within the community.

Community support drives a successful grand opening week

The recent grand opening saw significant local engagement. Over the launch weekend, visitors purchased 316 books and 97 cups of tea, alongside various locally made goods.