Bird Girl Bottle Shop Coming Soon to Hilton Village

PMA Architecture recently sat down with Brittany Lapiska, co-owner of Bird Girl Bottle Shop, a new beer and wine garden coming to Hilton Village. PMA led the design to convert a former house into a bottle shop for local Hilton Village owners Derek and Brittany Lapiska.

“We’ve always enjoyed beer and the experience of visiting new breweries,” said Brittany. “We knew that one day we wanted to open our own bottle shop that was a comfortable spot for family and friends to hangout and enjoy themselves.”

In April 2022, Derek and Brittany moved to Newport News and discovered Hilton Village. “When we drove through town we fell in love with Hilton Village and the feel of the neighborhood. My husband said this felt like the kind of place you would be proud to live in.” The couple are originally from Yardley, Pennsylvania and they settled in Hilton Village last year to be closer to family in Pennsylvania and North Carolina.

Rendering created by PMA for Bird Girl Bottle Shop.

PMA Architecture started working with Bird Girl Bottle Shop in September 2022, providing architectural help to transform their house into the bottle shop of their dreams. “When we found out that PMA was located in Hilton Village, we knew we wanted to work with and support our fellow businesses in the neighborhood.,” said Brittany.

The idea behind the name “Bird Girl” came from a high school play that Derek and Brittany performed together in. “I was playing a bird,” said Brittany, “and Derek couldn’t remember what my name was so he would call me ‘bird girl’ which is where the idea for the bottle shop name came from.”

Bird Girl Bottle Shop will offer pizza, wine, draft beer, and a wide selection of craft beers and wine local and unique to the area. Bird Girl will have a commercial kitchen and outdoor seating for up to 49 guests on a new, large deck. The project received plan approval from the Architectural Review Board in April 2023.

Construction in progress at Bird Girl - May 2023. Photo credit: Katie Stodghill, AIA. 

“The entire project has been very time consuming and filled with lots of emails and conversations about the shop.” Brittany adds that working with PMA was extremely helpful thanks to Katie Stodghill, PMA Principal, Architect, and Interior Designer. “Katie brought so much experience and help to the table… it was exciting to work with another Hilton Village business too.”

Construction is currently underway, scheduled to wrap up soon in September 2023. Bird Girl is expected to open in early Fall 2023. “Everything we make is handmade and filled with love,” said Brittany. “It’s a reflection of us and we hope this is a place that feels like home for people who visit.”

Co-Owner Brittany Lapiska in front of Bird Girl Bottle Shop in August 2023. Photo credit: Sara Moscoso. 

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