Lehigh Speaks
When a Lehigh alum or student walks into The Bookstore Speakeasy, they may recognize seasonal specials modified to spotlight the LU community — such as a riff on a brown derby cocktail. But if they speak to owner Linda Barsik ’13G, they will also recognize that the business values and mission of the establishment mimic the values of her alma mater. Barsik has centralized the ideology of the university in her business, valuing the impact people make in their community as individual contributors. She and business partner/brother Sean Barsik are constantly reassessing themselves and their business to meet this goal — a practice reinforced by their family tradition of hospitality.
Community Calling
Linda and Sean entered entrepreneurship with their mother’s words firmly in their minds. Having lived the world of hospitality ownership herself, their mother knew the full scope of responsibility that came with being a business owner. She advised, “Calculate the impact of every decision you make. […] Decisions need to be for the business, but [they need] to be for the people. You don’t have the business without the people.”
This advice inspired the duo to keep sustainability and service to the Bethlehem community as the heart of their business model when purchasing The Bookstore Speakeasy in 2017. The Barsiks are committed to running a low-waste restaurant just as their parents did before them. They aim to run the business as lean as possible, serving made-to-order dishes with all fresh ingredients. They are careful not to over-order or over-prepare unnecessary food and have become very skilled at assessing and forecasting their needs.
The Barsiks also see the volume of food waste American restaurants are disposing of, and they are committed to getting that good food in the stomachs of those who desperately need it, reaching out to local homeless shelters and food pantries to see what they can contribute. While monetary donations are essential in this effort, they recognize the lack of fresh fruits and vegetables available due to a short shelf life. Linda and Sean work to contribute healthy, nutritious food to those without access to it.
Additionally, Linda acknowledges the impact the hospitality business has on the environment. She is committed to returning trees to the earth to help offset some of the impact. She sees a lot of people living in a small space such as South Side Bethlehem and wholeheartedly believes that “more trees and less waste will make things better in this microcosm of the world.” Her next goal is to find local partnerships to help impact these ecological efforts. After all, we are all part of the same hive; we make a greater impact as a group.
The Bee’s Knees
The Bookstore Speakeasy’s bee logo is as intentional as each carefully crafted food and drink pairing on the menu. Linda says the bee logo anchors the ultimate values and mission of their business: to make a collective impact on the surrounding neighborhood. The bee was chosen to embody their role in the Bethlehem community as business owners just as the bee community thrives on the contributions of each individual insect.
It's also worth noting that the bee is one of the few creatures in nature that imbibes on fermented sugars for pleasure — a concept that birthed the tradition of speakeasies in the 1920s.
Sensory Time Travel
The Bookstore Speakeasy opened with the same name under different ownership in 2008. The location — a home built in 1896 — was the site of a true Prohibition-era speakeasy, so the goal was to build a cocktail bar and restaurant that tapped into the building’s previous life. The concept is a bookstore in the “front” of the establishment with a raucous speakeasy masked in the basement.
Their goal, according to Linda, is to “enrapture your senses.” The food is served as small plates, very true to the tradition of speakeasy hospitality. All their dishes will take you on a culinary adventure with carefully crafted drinks to accompany them. The menu is constantly changing, making it difficult for Linda to name a favorite. There’s always something new to discover.
The sound of live jazz music accompanies the authentic meal-and-time-capsule scene. Guests are invited to come dressed for the era, and Linda verifies that many people accept the challenge. Large parties are most likely to take the bait and come dressed to the nines in full ’20s regalia. She remembers one recent night when every soul in the building was in costume, and it truly felt as though they had stepped back in time. She encourages first-timers to dive into the ambiance for the optimal experience.
Though they inherited the speakeasy concept, Linda and Sean have weaved authenticity into every bit of their business model. They offer an authentic Prohibition-era speakeasy experience that will tickle all your senses in a historical setting to truly transport you. Their customers recognize the owners’ devotion to the customer experience, service, and sustainability — another display of Lehigh University values proudly at play in the Bethlehem community.
Photography by Tim Cox
In This Image: The Bookstore Speakeasy features modern interpretations of Prohibition-inspired cocktails.
In This Image: The décor is true to the time period, and guests are invited to fully indulge in the experience by arriving in 1920s attire.
In This Image: The Buttermilk Fried Chicken thighs are served with elote street corn salad.
In This Image: The Moroccan Red Pepper Dip is a vegetarian offering made with red peppers, walnuts, pomegranate molasses, pressed lemon, and garlic.
In This Image: Live jazz music is featured each night to complement the dining and drink offerings.
In This Image: Vintage hardback books adorn every wall and corner of the restaurant.
In This Image: Dimly lit with lanterns and oil lamps, the room transports guests during their visit.