About Us

Siblings Martin and Kara Haas grew up in North East. Kara’s first job at The Holly Shop ignited her interest in retail. As she continued to work in retail and in her family’s manufacturing companies, she earned her CPA, intersecting interests to build an accounting firm dedicated to serving independent retailers in southwest Florida.  

Kara planned to return to the area for a month and decided she did not want to leave. During that time, she developed an appreciation for fiction and literature. An aspiring writer, whose go-to procrastination mantra became “just one more book,” Kara found herself on the bookseller path.  

What’s the story behind our name? Both “tia” and “cellar” have dual meaning for us.  While reading author Michael H. Shuman, “The Small-Mart Revolution: How Local Businesses Are Beating the Global Competition,” Kara was inspired to transform the acronym “TINA,” “there is no alternative.” She believes “there is always” an alternative, a path, a book, a story.  

“Tia” is also Spanish for “aunt” and Kara regularly sends books to Martin’s boys.   

“Cellar” is a tribute to the many great wine cellars and merchants in North East. We hope to compliment the existing retail in the area that makes our town a destination for shopping and entertainment.  

Finally, an advocate for investigative journalists, whistleblowers, imprisoned authors, and emerging voices, Kara looks forward to providing space to for people to discover stories that may be otherwise relegated to the “cellars.”