Wild Fig Books & Coffee, Lexington, Ky., which reopened last December in "a new incarnation" as a worker cooperative headed by April Taylor, "is currently searching for a space in which to remain open," Lex18 reported, adding: "They are being forced to move from their historic space. Last year, a group of locals came together to raise money to purchase the business and keep it open."
"It's super important anywhere any space where there are black people," Taylor said. "Even if the percentage of black people in Kentucky isn't high as in some other places. It's still really important, also the black history bookstores, makes it really important to be protected and for the legacy to go on."
Wild Fig is currently hosting a variety of events that Taylor hopes will "increase traffic and generate enough profit for the co-op to enter a more advantageous financial agreement in the near future," the Herald-Leader noted.
"Whether you're someone who likes to interact socially or not, there are things you can be involved in (at Wild Fig)," Taylor said. "We're definitely a hub for community organizing and community activity. We're a way to plug into what's going on in the pulse of the community."
Her goal "is to relocate to a larger space where programming and inventory may be expanded. First, though, a deal involving delayed loan payments must be brokered--and fast, if the Wild Fig is to remain open," the Herald-Leader wrote, adding that many of the store's members have worked unpaid for months to keep the Fig's doors open.
"I would encourage (people to visit) sooner rather than later," she said. "We're at a critical juncture where, if people don't go ahead and come in, if they're more in love with the idea of our existence than actually supporting us, we may not be able to go on and still be here."
In a Facebook post Sunday, the bookstore noted: "The Fig is being pushed out of the building they currently rent and most likely will only remain in its current location long enough for the gentrifiers who own the building to qualify for a tax write off, which is potentially three months from now but could be much sooner. The financial incentive they had to make sure we remain in our current location will soon be gone, and we know they only put people over profit long enough to maximize future profits. Anyone who has leads on a new space, please comment here or contact us directly. The Fig would not have survived this long without the vast, resilient, diverse community that supports it, and we have full faith that the community will continue to protect this safe, sacred, healing, and affirming space from those who put profits over people."
Yesterday, the bookstore posted an update: "The way Y'all are supporting the Fig and taking a stand against gentrification is mind blowing...we've had nearly $400 in donations just this morning. From everyone here at the store putting in work to Fig Family all over the country, thank you! Let's show these gentrifiers what people power looks like!"