Little Gay Bookstore will host a grand opening celebration on September 2 inside Stonewall Columbus at 1160 N. High St., Columbus, Ohio. NBC4 reported that the "partnership with Stonewall, central Ohio's leading LGBTQ+ organization, marks a major milestone for Little Gay, which has long aimed to foster a safe space for marginalized folks to find community while bonding over books."
The bricks-and-mortar bookshop has long been in the making for co-owners Lauren Branch and Reese Steiner, who originally planned to open it in 2023 at a different address. After a series of challenges, they postponed their plans and began selling books at local markets as well as online.
"We're just so excited, honestly, I don't think we thought we'd ever get this far. After years of doing this, it just doesn't feel real yet," said Branch. "November 2023 was when we had to pivot and we were like, 'OK, we really want to continue to do this, we just can't give up, everyone's so excited. That's when we moved into the market scene, and we've been able to completely do our online business."
The owners noted that the delay proved to be a blessing in disguise, since it led to the newfound partnership with Stonewall, which also allows the couple to operate the coffee shop, called Queer Beans, inside the bookstore.
"Along with books, coffee in general is also community building," Branch said. "You come in here and you want to talk with your friends over coffee, and that's what I always did growing up and, for us, that was relaxing."
Steiner added: "I'm really excited to hear people connecting, making community, drinking their coffee, talking about books; the excitement is growing. We did this for the LGBTQ+ community, but everyone is welcome no matter where they come from or who they are. Inclusivity means all, which is straight people, gay people, trans people, literally everybody."