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The Print Factory, a new and used nonprofit bookstore and community space, has opened on a limited basis in Bellefonte, Pa., the Centre Daily Times reported.
Directors John Eburne, Mandisa Haarhoff, and Kathy Mitchell held a soft opening for the Print Factory at 130 S. Allegheny St. on Friday. The book's inventory is still growing, with much of it currently sourced from community donations. Eventually they plan to offer an extensive selection of titles for all age groups, with an emphasis on titles that are anti-racist, feminist, and queer-inclusive. Currently, books are available only for purchase, but the directors plan eventually to create a lending program.
The space has movable bookshelves and is easily reconfigurable, which will give the Print Factory flexibility in hosting events. They've already held an open mic at the bookstore, and they expect to expand their programming in the weeks and months ahead. They would like to host movie screenings, presentations, writing groups, workshops, live music, and more. There is also complimentary coffee and tea for patrons and guests.
"We want people to feel welcome here," Haarhoff told the Centre Daily Times. "There are a lot of negative things going on in the world today, and I think it's important to provide people with a space like this to safely and comfortably spend their time without fear of being judged for who they are."
Originally slated to open by Small Business Saturday 2023, the Print Factory's debut was delayed for nearly a year due to unforeseen renovations. Eburne explained that "there was a lot more that needed to be done than we anticipated, and the more that we fixed, the more we found that needed fixing."
For now, the Print Factory is open from noon to 8 p.m. Thursdays through Sunday, with additional hours dependent on volunteers.