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The idea behind Nine O’Clock Wines was simply to get people comfortable relaxing around a bottle of red or white.

“I think it’s an unfortunate quality of the wine world that it’s become this exclusive, luxury thing. That if you’re not into what everyone else is into, you’re wrong and don’t have a palate for what’s good,” says Christie Kliewer, who co-owns the shop with Celine Roberts. “There’s so many options that end up getting overlooked, covered up or deprioritized because of what’s considered ‘best’ or ‘highest of quality.’”

Both believe wine should be unpretentious—something you uncork just because it’s Tuesday. That’s one of the reasons they spend a lot of time on wine education through hosting wine classes, wine bar pop-ups and monthly free tastings.

“Wine doesn’t have to be a class symbol. It can be enjoyed with a Cheeto,” says Celine. “Christie and I tell people that the most important thing to consider about a bottle of wine is whether you enjoy it. This is supposed to be fun and pleasant!”

Both fell in love with wine while working together at Bar Marco. When the space was locked down during the pandemic, they approached the owner about opening a bottle shop in the closed dining room. The natural wines were a hit, which got them thinking about expanding into their own store.

Their dream-turned-reality started taking shape every Monday in the lobby and bar area of the former Ace Hotel in East Liberty. Christie and Celine would meet, talk, envision and plan. The Library became their go-to for resources. For Christie, a former librarian, it was a no-brainer.

“I had worked for a while focused specifically on business resources at the Downtown branch. It’s difficult to delve through all the information out there today and find reputable sources. But at the Library, people are thoughtful and willing to help. It helped us to narrow things down—what we needed to disregard, what we needed to emphasize and pay attention to. It was really easy in that sense. And I think for a lot of people, it’s not that easy because you’re trying to figure it out yourself.”

She also knew the Library would be a reservoir of information that stretched far beyond the stacks, thanks to donors like you.

“We found the small business basic information particularly helpful, looking into loans and resources available to us as women. We knew it would be a useful resource to be connected to other local small businesses who could help us with the myriad tasks of running a business: accountants, lawyers, etc. In fact, it was the librarians who helped connect us with the Chatham Women’s Business Center, which we utilized to refine and hone many of the ideas we generated after preliminary research with the Library,” she says.

Their 200-square-foot shop, “a little jewel box,” is tucked into the Lawrenceville Market House at 4112 Butler St., a shared space that abounds with the camaraderie and support of other small business owners in Pittsburgh. The name, Nine O’Clock Wines, is a nod to fond memories of their time working together at Bar Marco. “Nine o’clock was the time when the staff there gathered behind the bar to test each other’s knowledge with a quick blind tasting. Nine o’clock is also the time when the dining rooms around the country are in full swing; the hum of chatter floats over the tables and everyone is settled well into their evening. Drinking wine should feel like a warm, candlelit room where your loved ones have gathered to enjoy something together,” says Christie.

Plans for doubling their existing space are already in the works.

“Small business owners need all the free help and guidance they can get!” says Celine. “The Library is a great place for reference material, to connect with other small business owners and to get inspired.”

“Anyone can benefit from using the Library,” adds Christie. “In a world where information and resources are constantly being privatized while simultaneously economic conditions become more tenuous for the majority of working people, the Library serves as a community-minded information resource. In many ways, we model our business similarly to the way Library workers approach their community: education provided with a friendly and helpful intention.”

Because of you, entrepreneurs can trust the Library to provide accurate and up-to-date business information and connections to help them achieve their dreams.