Meet Silvia Gallo | Wine Bar owner; Community Hostess

We had the good fortune of connecting with Silvia Gallo and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Silvia, maybe we can start at the very start – the idea – how did you come up with the idea for your business?
Third places is a term coined by sociologist Ray Oldenburg: Third places are local spots where people spend time between home (‘first’ place) and work (‘second’ place). A Third place or as I like to think of Killer Queen … “A social living room” Is a safe place where we exchange ideas, have a good time, build relationships, hop on our computer, network, have a first date, have a friends night out… connect …

I have always had a knack for gathering people…

117 East Main St was a sleepy block in Downtown Durham that needed lights on and an open door to all.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Killer Queen wine bar is a safe space where all are welcome… we are the third space in many people’s lives. A Downtown Durham social living room.

You’re not too old, too young (21 to have wine of course) Dogs are welcome… business meetings, birthdays, date nights, solo laptop time… all happen at KQ…

KQ is special in that on any given night you will meet someone that you wouldn’t typically cross paths with in your daily routine. We offer over 50 wines by the glass and we support local with our small plates menu.

I am a third time business owner. I have created opportunity for myself by working long hours doing something I love. Saved my dollars… opened and sold my first business by my late thirties… Blo Salon Raleigh NC.
I partnered on my second Business Sushi Note Los Angeles… sold my shares to open my first solo project.. Killer Queen wine bar.

Lessons learned… know your value… let go of partnerships that aren’t honoring your value… be kind to yourself during your learning curves…

I hope that people that spend time in Killer Queen wine bar feel better when they leave than when they entered our doors.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
When someone is new to town or if I have a visitor and I would like them to get to know the village of Downtown Durham…

Breakfast: Press Crepes or Loaf Bakery
Snack Juicekeys for fresh pressed organic juice or smoothie
Lunch: Pizzeria Toro!

A glass of wine for Happy Hour / Dinner/ Dessert/ Snacks ofcourse visit Killer Queen! ( also have a look at our Mural on our patio… wings by Collette Miller Ted Talk Global Wings Artist.

DPAC or Carolina Theatre for a show! The Durham Bulls Ballpark!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Third places is a term coined by sociologist Ray Oldenburg… and refers to places where people spend time between home (‘first’ place) and work (‘second’ place). They are locations where we exchange ideas, have a good time, and build relationships.

Website: killerqueendurham.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/killerqueendurham/

Image Credits
https://www.instagram.com/williamtreed/