ANN ARBOR, MI -- Booksweet, the bookstore moving into the space formerly known as Bookbound, is set to hold its grand opening on Aug. 12.
Owners Shaun Manning and Truly Render said they are excited to take over the space from its previous owners, Peter and Megan Blackshear, who announced in May that they would be closing their store, Bookbound.
Booksweet, located at 1729 Plymouth Road, hosted a soft launch on Aug. 6, with a full opening planned for Aug. 12.
“We’re really excited to continue the vision of Peter and Megan Blackshear,” Render said. “We have an opportunity to be really curated.”
Although the pair did not originally plan to take over Bookbound’s space, they had always wanted to own a bookstore and decided to open Booksweet after learning the Blackshear’s lease would be ending.
“In some ways it’s been coming together in three months and in some ways it’s been coming together for 15 years,” Render said.
In addition to academic titles and those which will appeal to the general community, Render and Manning are looking to expand the store’s youth graphic novel selection, including carrying some of Manning’s own work.
“I feel way comfortable and happy in the bookish world,” Manning said.
The couple said they want the store to reflect themselves. Manning said that, when travelling, he would often visit local, independent bookstores “just to get a sense of the personality of a new shop.”
“I think every indie bookstore is a reflection of its proprietors in some way, shape or form, and I think that’s the delightful thing about it,” Render said.
But they also want to reflect the community, both in the books it carries and their relationship with customers.
“We don’t view people as customers, we view them as our neighbors,” Render said.
Booksweet’s grand opening will begin at 5:15 p.m. on Aug. 12 outside the store with what they describe as a “‘Reading Rainbow’-like experience” with a host from Black Men Read. Booksweet said it will also host other “Book Parties” with Black Men Read “to share stories from the African diaspora for our youngest readers.”
The grand opening will also feature poetry by Yasmine Rukia, live music and desserts by Karma’s Kitchen. It will take place outside to facilitate increased COVID-19 safety. For more information or to RSVP, visit shopbooksweet.com.
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