Meet Mary & Kristin of The Reading Room

Tuesday, November 18, 2025

Mary Tveit and Kristin Radcliffe opened The Reading Room on the Decatur Square in early 2024, and they haven't looked back! It's an incredibly cozy, comforting space where you can hang out or work on your computer with a coffee, a craft cocktail, or gourmet cheese board. They have so much to offer! On top of that, they host musicians, pop ups, and so many more community-oriented events. G&G is excited to be there on Saturday 11/22 for a Patio Pop Up–we hope to see you there!

We asked Mary & Kristin some questions about The Reading Room and how they got started, so read on to learn more–and for a cocktail recipe at the end!

1. Tell us about the Reading Room! Where are you located and what all do you offer in your space?

The Reading Room is a local, woman owned café in downtown Decatur that offers coffee, wine, craft cocktails, St Germain pastries and an assortment of delicious sandwiches, boards and small bites. We proudly serve Little Waves Coffee from Durham, NC, a heart-driven, Latina co-owned, and women-forward coffee roaster.

Friday Night Live is a weekly event at The Reading Room featuring local musicians from jazz to hip hop to DJs. We also host patio pop-ups, we are very excited to be partnering with Garnish & Gather for our November pop-up. We also have special events for authors, book groups and a host of other folks.

2. How did you get started? When did the idea to open up a coffee shop on the Decatur Square first come to you?

Co-owners Kristin Radcliffe and Mary Tveit met through their teenage sons. The two would walk together and share their parenting woes journeying through the streets of Decatur. Realizing they’d love a place to perch with a coffee and then quickly transition to a cocktail or glass of wine, The Reading Room was born.

3. Reading Room is one of the coziest spots we’ve been to recently–can you describe the décor and vibe for those who may not have visited yet?

Kristin and Mary wanted the space to feel welcoming and beautiful. They wanted to create a place where you can have a drink with a friend or snuggle up with a book on the couch with a coffee – with a little nod to France and the islands. All of the furniture, light fixtures, mirrors and even wood charcuterie boards were designed and made in Bali. The business partners are design obsessed and created this vision and executed on it with the help of their architect and friend Jay George. The Reading Room was a roof, cinder block walls and a gravel floor when they got started – they dreamed and designed it from start to finish.

 4. As a local women-owned business here in Atlanta, what are some of your favorite things about working with other woman-owned businesses?

Absolutely everything. The energy, the level of care, the fun, the love women put into their businesses. There’s no ego or ownership, women come together and help each other and collaborate.

5. What kind of events or gatherings do you have coming up soon?

In November we have live music every Friday night, you can check out the events page on our website. In December, we have events every week and on the weekend – from a Holiday DJ/PJ Party to Christmas Carols to Ansley Stewart singing Holiday songs, the next two months will be packed with events.

6. What is your go-to coffee order?

Kristin loves the Spicy Honey Bear and Mary is a die-hard fan of the Sunrise, the original coffee special at The Reading Room. Right now, the Gingerbread Latte is the special with a homemade gingerbread cookie garnish. And if that’s not your jam, The Banana Bread Latte is currently a special and amazing!

7. If you can choose… what is your favorite cocktail on your menu right now? 

Mary loves the Last Word, Kristin is the master mixologist and makes incredible cocktails which Mary is happy to sample. Kristin is loving our espresso martini flight, which she crafted, and it has toasted marshmallow syrup and rum that’s simply the best.

8. What does being part of the local food and drink community here in Atlanta mean to you?

It’s an honor to be a part of this welcoming community in Atlanta. From the minute we started talking about our idea, people raised their hand to help. Atlanta is a foodie city and has become a destination for folks who love good food and drink. For us, being able to stand next to all of these amazing chefs, mixologists, baristas, servers, entrepreneurs is humbling and truly awesome. 

The Reading Room's Espresso Old Fashioned Recipe

• 1/2 oz Vanilla Cinnamon Brown Sugar Syrup
• 2 oz bourbon 
• 1/2 oz espresso 
• 3 dashes of walnut bitters

Learn more about The Reading Room here on their website, and stay up to date with all their happenings here on Instagram!