Lost City Books in Washington, D.C., has completed its renovations and will officially reopen this month, with a grand reopening party scheduled for Saturday, February 29.
In early 2019, Adam Waterreus purchased Idle Time Books from retiring owner and founder Val Morgan. Last June, Waterreus renamed the nearly 40-year-old store Lost City Books, and the store was closed last month as it underwent major renovations. In addition to new floors, light fixtures, a new paint job and more shelf space, the shop has a brand-new children's room. A few walls have also been knocked down, allowing for the creation of modular spaces for events and meet-ups.
The reopening party will feature food, drinks and live music performed by local artists and DJs. At the same time, four local visual artists will have their work on display around the store. General admission is free, and multiple packages are available featuring more drink tickets and literary gifts.
The new Lost City Books team includes artists, educators, musicians and writers, and features a combined 30-plus years of bookselling experience. Since Waterreus took over, the store has had a renewed focus on community engagement and multidisciplinary connections. Event plans include not only book clubs and author events but also art classes, teach-ins, workshops and a variety of community gatherings.