Nikole Hannah-Jones, the Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and creator of the landmark The 1619 Project, "is partnering with well-known local entrepreneurs to open a literary salon and bar in the former home of iconic Macon Hardware" at 339 Macon St. in Brooklyn, N.Y., Brownstoner reported.
Located at the corner of Macon Street and Marcus Garvey Boulevard, the North Star Books + Bar will occupy the space that "had a long history as one of Bed Stuy's longest standing Black-owned businesses--and longest-standing businesses in general. The building will continue its legacy housing a business in service to the community," Brownstoner wrote, adding that Hannah-Jones said she was honored to keep it Black owned.
Her business partners are Rotimi and Ayo Akinnuoye, the team behind Bed Stuy's Bed-Vyne businesses; and DJ Johnson, owner of Baldwin & Co. bookstore and cafe in New Orleans, La.
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| Nikole Hannah-Jones | |
Hannah-Jones said that, in addition to being a bookstore, bar and cafe, the North Star Books + Bar will serve as a literary salon designed to be "a draw for great Black writers and creators from across the globe.... I'm very plugged into the writer community, I'm friends with a lot of great writers, and wanted to be able to bring those writers into our community. Whenever you have big book events in the city, they're not at Black bookstores and they're not in Black neighborhoods, so I really wanted to bring that to Bed Stuy. People should expect all of their writing heroes."
The two-story brick building has apartments on the second floor that will be used for micro-residencies, offering visiting writers a place to stay and engage in community work. In addition to author talks and performances, the space will host other community programming, including writing workshops and book clubs. "I really, really want it to be a space, especially in these times, where creative folks can come together and exchange knowledge, ideas, literature, art," she added.
Currently undergoing a gut renovation, the store's design is inspired by the Harlem Renaissance and its literary salons, with an Art Deco aesthetic, Hannah-Jones said, adding: "The space will pay tribute to Black writers of all eras and of all forms."
After searching for a potential location for some time, Hannah-Jones saw a social media post showing 339 Macon Street was for sale. She then made her case to owner Warren Hayes, noting: "Mr. Hayes was very happy to be able to sell it to someone who is in the community and cares about the community and will create a great community space. I'm very much aware of the history, and very much honored to keep the building Black owned, frankly."
Regarding the bar and cafe, she observed: "We're not going to have a huge menu. It's hard enough to make money on books, but we will have the capability to offer a full menu whenever we're ready.".