The Brass Bird brings modern-mercantile charm to Pineville
July 30, 2024
Fine flock: The selection of gifts, home wares and gourmet goods from dozens of artisan brands beckons shoppers to historic downtown.
by Amanda Lea | photographs by Amy Kolo
Stepping into The Brass Bird in downtown Pineville, a pair of round, gold-brushed chandeliers cast a welcoming glow over the store’s central walkway. The lighting is just one of many subtle design elements professionally curated by owner Emily Anderson, who also founded Charlotte-based Theory Design Studio. Emily applied her interior-design expertise in creating the shop’s sophisticated-yet-inviting atmosphere. “I wanted The Brass Bird to be a warm and welcoming place for people to gather and discover products from unique small businesses,” she says.
Emily and her husband, Brad, first visited the historic 1920s building when she was looking for a place to relocate her design business. “When I first walked into the building, I had a feeling that this was meant for something different,” she says. “I had always wanted to own a general store, and as I looked around the space that idea started taking shape.” In 2021, the Andersons bought the building — a former hardware store and, later, an antique shop — and set about restoring it to its former glory.
But the Andersons’ journey to opening The Brass Bird wasn’t without challenges. Just five weeks before the planned opening, Emily received a call from the police in the middle of the night asking them to come to the store. When the couple arrived, a car had driven through the front doors, leaving piles of broken glass and extensive structural damage.
The setback delayed the opening by 10 months, but their vision prevailed. In September 2023, Emily and Brad opened The Brass Bird’s newly repaired doors to the community.
Emily’s dedication to supporting small American businesses is evident in the products lining the store’s shelves, where small placards introduce shoppers to their makers. “I want to give these small-business owners a platform to share the stories behind their products,” Emily says. A rotating selection of nearly 100 artisan brands are represented, from local snacks like Piedmont Pennies and Queen City Crunch to Ella B. candles and Epicurean cooking utensils.
Another key feature of the store is the wine bar, inspired by the couple’s travels to Sonoma Valley and visits to mom-and-pop wine shops around the world. Melt into one of the rose-and-gold tufted bar seats with a glass of prosecco, or bring your bevvy to one of the rocking chairs outside and watch the world go by. (Pro tip: Grazing boxes from Off The Block Charcuterie Co. are available for purchase if you need something to nosh on. And if you linger a bit too long on half-price wine Thursdays, you can grab a gourmet takeaway meal from The Butler’s Pantry to bring home for dinner.)
A painting of a hawk by Charlotte artist Kent Youngstrom, a friend of store owner Emily Anderson, is a nod to the company’s name and logo. The Brass Bird was inspired by a falconry encounter Emily had on a trip to Ireland. “The entire experience was absolutely magical,” she says. “I walked through the woods of Ireland with this Harris’s hawk, Aztec, on my arm and staring into my eyes. In a picture that my husband took, you can see the brass-colored tips of Aztec’s wings match the tips of my hair. We said he looked like he was my brass bird.” Aztec left such an impact on her that she decided to name the store after the experience.
The shop hosts gatherings such as monthly book clubs, ladies’ nights and children’s story times aimed at bringing the community together. The space is also available to rent for private parties.
Whether you’re catching up with friends over a glass of wine, introducing out-of-town guests to local treasures, or getting a glimpse into Pineville’s heritage, The Brass Bird is a charming addition to this thriving downtown community. SP
The Brass Bird is located at 320 Main St. in Pineville. Store hours are 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Tues.-Thur. And 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. Fri.-Sat.
