MahoganyBooks, which began as an online store in 2007 and opened a bricks-and-mortar location in the Anacostia Arts Center in the Anacostia neighborhood in Washington, D.C., in 2018, plans to open a second store, at National Harbor in Prince George's County, in Maryland, on Juneteenth, June 19. The new store will have 1,400 square feet of space, nearly triple the size of its D.C. store, according to the Washington Business Journal. National Harbor, just south of Washington and across the Potomac from Alexandria, Va., is a multi-use development that includes 160 stores, 40 restaurants, office space, entertainment, housing, hotels and the Capital Wheel. MahoganyBooks specializes in books written for, by or about people of the African Diaspora.
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| Derrick and Ramunda Young | |
"Growing up in Prince George's County, this has become a full circle moment for me," said co-owner and co-founder Derrick Young. "MahoganyBooks is excited to open our doors to the visitors of National Harbor, and the residents of Prince George's County. Opening on Juneteenth reminds us that we carry forward the rich history and legacy of our community."
Co-owner and co-founder Ramunda Young said, "This is truly a testament to the support of our MahoganyBooks family. Throughout the pandemic and the 13 years prior, our community has rallied around us. Our mission is more clearer than ever. We will continue to provide a space that elevates Black authors and Black voices of the diaspora."
Kent Digby, executive v-p and senior asset manager at National Harbor, welcomed MahoganyBooks, saying, "This unique bookstore, with its regional and quickly growing national following, is the perfect complement to our retail portfolio of national brands and one-of-a-kind boutiques. National Harbor has quickly become a haven for successful retail entrepreneurs and well-loved brands."
Having run an online bookstore for 11 years before opening their storefront, the Youngs were well-prepared for the shift to e-commerce in book retailing when the pandemic hit last year. They have taken leadership roles in the African American community by "promoting reading, writing, and cultural awareness as tools to improve self-esteem, self-love and ultimately our communities to enrich the lives of motivated individuals." In late January, the store made national news when President Obama was the surprise visitor to a virtual meeting of the MahoganyBooks & Very Smart Brothas Book Club, the book club created by MahoganyBooks and Panama Jackson, writer for the band The Roots.