The bookstore opened in its current location on Church Street in 2017.

By
Michele Kettner

February 11, 2026 at 11:03 am

Nine years after opening in Vienna, Bards Alley Bookshop is set to move – but not far. Jennifer Morrow, the owner of the independent bookshop, has purchased a historic property in downtown Vienna, which will become the bookstore’s new home.

The building, located just down the street at 103 Church St. NE in Vienna, was purchased from John and Deborah Kurcina. The location was home to John Edwards Hair Design, which closed after John Kurcina retired in January after 55 years of running the salon. Morrow took ownership of the building, which dates back to 1900, on February 5.

“When I opened Bards Alley, my goal was to create a village of kindred spirits,” Morrow said in a recent press release. “Educating people through words and discussion is extremely powerful, not only for individual success, but also for social good. Now that we’ve built the foundation, I want to continue to be a champion for literacy. John and Deborah sought to preserve the history of the building, and we shared a vision of what it could be for the bookstore. I’m excited to start this new chapter.”

Though no exact opening date has been set, Morrow plans to move to the new location either this fall or winter, depending on the timeline for renovating the space. The decision to move comes as the lease at the bookstore’s current location, 110 Church St. NW, was set to expire.

Morrow first opened Bards Alley in 2017, 10 years after she moved to Vienna. Since then, her shop has become a staple in downtown Vienna and the region, as the shop was named the best independent bookstore in Northern Virginia Magazine’s Best of NoVA list in 2024 and 2025.

“It’s remarkable to see the success that an independent bookstore like Bards Alley Bookshop has achieved,” said Nicole Toulouse, Director of Economic Development for the Town of Vienna. “Jen has created more than a bookstore; she’s built a community hub, bringing people together through stories, author events and genuine connection. We’re excited for the next chapter at this  iconic new location in the heart of Vienna.”

Besides its bookshelves full of genres and reads for all ages, Bards Alley is known for hosting author talks, book clubs, and children’s events and its work with local schools and community organizations.

Michele Kettner joined Northern Virginia Magazine in 2020 after spending two semesters as an editorial intern at the magazine. The University of Maryland graduate is currently the audience engagement editor and covers everything from can’t-miss things to do and holiday events to new restaurant and store openings throughout Northern Virginia.