Frontline Books & Crafts, a Chicago bookstore "focused on Black liberation and community education, is in imminent danger of being forced to leave its Hyde Park storefront after 17 years" unless it can improve sales dramatically and raise funds to remain at 5206 S. Harper Ave. on a month-to-month basis, Block Club Chicago reported.
Founder Sekou Tafari cited slowing business and increasing costs as reasons for the dilemma, but said he wants to sustain the Harper Avenue storefront through sales rather than donations, a fundraiser or other "handouts."
"If the community wants to offer to help or donations, we're not going to say no," he added. "But because we believe in independence, we want to get them something in exchange for their money."
Frontline "got its start more than 30 years ago, publishing books and distributing titles by British authors to local Black bookstores after Tafari moved to Chicago from London," Block Club Chicago wrote. Following the bookstore's move to Hyde Park in 2004, the storefront has expanded and its rent has increased. "It's a free market, an open market," Tafari said. "This kind of stuff is going to happen. If you can't pay, you're going to leave. That is how capitalism works." The Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in dwindling foot traffic for the business.
Tafari said he is doing everything he can "to not leave Hyde Park--and to not leave this space, because it has a long history." If he does have to close, "we would miss that part, because we love being part of our community. We are an integral part of our community--we love our Black community."
Only the Harper Avenue storefront is at risk of closing for now. Frontline Books & Kultural Emporium at 6357 S. Cottage Grove Ave. in Woodlawn will remain open. That location is "trying to keep its head above water, but it also needs help," Tafari said.