Today we’d like to introduce you to Ginger VanNess.
Hi Ginger, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
If you had told me a few years ago that I’d leave a long career in healthcare to open a coffee shop and community gathering space, I probably would’ve laughed. My entire adult life was spent in healthcare—leading teams, supporting patients, and pouring myself into work that mattered deeply. But something happened over time: my husband and I started dreaming about doing something meaningful right here in our own backyard.
We’ve always believed that every town needs a place where people can slow down, connect, and feel like they belong. For us, that kind of place didn’t quite exist in our local community. We kept saying, “Someone should open a coffee shop… a real gathering spot.” Eventually we realized: we were that someone.
So in July of 2024—while both still working full-time jobs—we opened Liberty Grounds. It started with a simple intention: to create a warm, welcoming hub where neighbors could meet up, where friendships could form, where local talent could shine, and where people felt at home the moment they walked in the door. We wanted Liberty Grounds to feel like the heartbeat of the community.
In the beginning, we balanced everything—careers, business ownership, late nights, early mornings, and all the unknowns that come with building something from scratch. But the response from the community was overwhelming. People weren’t just coming in for coffee; they were finding connection, support, and comfort in the space we created. That’s when it hit me that this was more than a small business—it was my new calling.
A few months ago, I made one of the biggest decisions of my life: I stepped away from my full-time role as a healthcare director to dedicate myself fully to Liberty Grounds. It was scary, exciting, and completely life-changing. But every day I walk through our doors and see people gathered around tables, sharing conversations, trying new drinks, attending events, supporting local musicians or makers, and I know we made the right choice.
Today, Liberty Grounds serves espresso drinks, beer, wine, and baked goods from a local bakery we love. But more importantly, we serve community. We’re building something that brings people together in a world where connection is needed more than ever.
My story isn’t just about leaving one career for another. It’s about listening to that nudge inside that says, “Maybe you were meant to create something new.” It’s about taking a leap with my husband, trusting our vision, and giving our community the gathering place it deserves.
And we’re only just getting started.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Honestly, we’ve had our fair share of obstacles. When we first opened Liberty Grounds, both my husband and I were still working full-time jobs, so trying to build a business while juggling everything else was… a lot. There were plenty of late nights and early mornings where we wondered how we were going to keep up.
And for me personally, coming from a lifelong career in healthcare, this was a huge transition. I went from being a Director in Healthcare to suddenly having to learn an entirely different world—ordering inventory, running a café, planning events, making lattes,… all things that were completely new to me. It was scary stepping away from something I’d always known.
We also had the challenge of being the new place in town. When you’re trying to create a community gathering spot from scratch, you have to earn people’s trust and show them why this space matters. That takes time, and consistency, and a whole lot of heart.
And then, of course, once I left my full-time job to focus on Liberty Grounds, the financial pressure became very real. There’s no safety net—your decisions really matter. That’s been both motivating and intimidating.
But through all of that, the hardest part has probably been carrying the emotional weight of wanting to get it right for our community. We didn’t open this just to sell drinks—we opened it to give people a place to connect. And wanting so badly to live up to that mission can be overwhelming sometimes.
But every challenge has made us stronger, and honestly, seeing people gather here, make memories, and feel at home… that makes every obstacle worth it.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Liberty Grounds?
My work is creating a welcoming community space. At Liberty Grounds, we serve espresso drinks, beer, wine, and locally-made baked goods—but more than anything, my work is about bringing people together. After spending my whole adult life in healthcare, I shifted into this new role full-time, and now my job is to build a place where our community can gather, connect, and feel at home.
What are your plans for the future?
Looking ahead, we have some really exciting plans for Liberty Grounds. Our biggest goal is to keep growing as a true community hub. We want to continue building a place where people feel comfortable to come in, stay awhile, and connect with one another. Just stay tuned for more details….follow us on Facebook and Instagram to see all the exciting things that will be coming!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.libertygroundsnc.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/libertygroundsnc/
