Print Factory bookstore, an "antiracist, feminist, and queer-inclusive artist- and worker-run organization," will open at 130 S. Allegheny St., Bellefonte, Pa. Centre Daily Times reported that its directors have signed a renewable five-year lease for the space and will begin some construction inside the building in June.
"Luckily, it's really cosmetic stuff just to update the building," said Melissa Stitzer, one of the directors. "There's already some great things inside that we hope to keep. It's got a great personality, a great vibe in there." The plan is to open by Small Business Saturday in November, but it's possible the bookshop will launch before then.
Jonathan Eburne, Elena Quiñones, Angie Bowman, and Stitzer "all had the same vision for a bookstore" and knew that Bellefonte was the place to do it. They came together as directors to bring their dream to life, Centre Daily Times wrote.
Quiñones said Print Factory's mission statement focuses heavily on inclusivity and it's important that the space reflects that, from how the bookstore is stocked to what programming is offered and how it's run.
Stitzer added that if someone walks into the bookstore and says, "I want a book that has a character I can relate to," it is important to provide that "magical place" for them.
"The focus of the Print Factory is to offer space for intellectual and creative life to the community. For us, it's important that that is happening in Bellefonte, rather than say, State College, where it feels like there are a lot more resources through the university especially, already pulled around some of those efforts," Quiñones observed.
As a parent of a teenager, Eburne noted that he is aware of the need for places where people can hang out, especially after school. Providing a place where people can gather together in a safe and meaningful way will be an asset to the growing community.
Print Factory will also feature a variety of programs and workshops for all ages. Eburne said, "When you're making things with other people, whether you're fixing a car, cooking, working in a field or typing on a typewriter with a group of people on other typewriters... you're going to have conversations that are going to evolve out of that. When you work together with other people, things happen in good ways."
Print Factory is a nonprofit and is currently taking donations through a $50,000 GoFundMe campaign to fund the bookshop's first year of operations. Eburne noted that not having to generate all of their income through sales allows them to uphold their mission by providing programming and materials that are accessible and affordable for people to participate.