It may seem unlikely that an introverted, slightly reclusive person like myself would grow up wanting to be a regular at a bar. For that, I have “Cheers” to thank. Beyond my girlish crush on Ted Danson, the camaraderie between the bar staff and the customers captured my attention whenever the show appeared on my TV screen.
As a kid, I didn’t fully understand the monotonous life of adults, and the true joy in finding a place where you can relax and unwind. But now, when life feels particularly difficult—like you’re wearing Milkbone underwear in a dog-eat-dog world—having a place where everyone knows your name really does make a difference.
After years of searching for that elusive place, I finally found it at Beer Girl: a small bottle shop located in downtown Hapeville, just south of Atlanta. It began with my first encounter with co-founder Alexia Ryan, who usually runs the register on Friday evenings while her partner and co-founder Erik Lewis pours beer and wine from the taps.
My husband and I were contemplating buying a home in Southside Atlanta. Nervous about the decision, I asked Alexia about the area. During my childhood, the Southside was home, but so much had changed since the days I attended the nearby Catholic school. When I was a child, downtown Hapeville was mostly abandoned, except for the many car repair shops—a leftover from when the Ford plant pumped out Tauruses down the street. But a couple decades later, like much of the rest of the city, the area was undergoing a revitalization.
Alexia responded to my question with a warm smile and a cheery “c’mon,” packing away my remaining doubts about calling the Southside home. We later purchased a house, and I excitedly returned to Beer Girl to share my news with Alexia, who proceeded to introduce me to some of the regulars. And so my induction into the Beer Girl club began.
If you’re a regular at Beer Girl, you know that Fridays are lively. On a sunny day, we crowd on the patio with beers in hand, dogs at our feet. We exchange frustrations from the week, and share hilarious moments that elicit belly laughs (and, occasionally, spilled beer). If time permits, Alexia will step out on the patio with a glass of water in hand to join in on the fun. It’s the best place to learn about what’s going on in Hapeville and the surrounding communities. And if there’s one thing Alexia and Erik are good at, it’s staying connected to the city.
To me, the two of them are Hapeville. What’s going on with the construction down the street? Ask Alexia and Erik. Who’s moving in a few doors down? Ask Alexia and Erik. They’re plugged into the city, sponsor community events, and introduce locals to a great selection of craft beer. Before Beer Girl, those of us on the Southside had to travel into the city to find the latest craft beers. The bottle shop’s presence in the community has made it an essential stop for beer lovers who live below I-20.
Since COVID-19 hit the city, Beer Girl has temporarily closed, leaving the couple to survive on to-go orders. Like many other business owners in Atlanta, Alexia and Erik have decided to stay shuttered until they feel comfortable opening to the public again. Though I continue to stop by Beer Girl weekly to stock my fridge, I don’t get the funny quips and interesting commentary from Erik, or the humorous sarcasm and endearing hugs from Alexia. It’s these things that I miss the most.
Words by Stephanie Grant