Linda Kass will open Gramercy Books this week at 2424 E. Main Street in Bexley, Ohio, a suburb close to downtown Columbus. Gramercy Books fulfills the journalist and author's long-held dream "to develop an adventurous retail experience for book lovers that also serves as a destination for conversation and connectivity," the store said. The 3,000-square-foot store will also feature a new café concept from Columbus café and bakery Kittie's. A grand opening weekend celebration is planned for January 27-29.
"There is no better place than within the walls of a bookstore to foster communication and engage our communities," Kass said. "Gramercy Books seeks to be that kind of community builder."
Kass, who recently published the novel Tasa's Song (She Writes Press), grew up on the east side of Columbus. "About 20 years ago, my husband and I went to the Panhandle of Florida for the first time to a community called Seaside," she recalled. "And I fell in love with a bookstore in this beach community called Sundog Books, owned by a couple, Linda and Bob White. So the idea of owning a bookstore someday was seeded then."
A few years ago, when a new condo building with retail space on the first floor was being planned for Bexley, "it presented just the opportunity I was waiting for," she added. In developing Gramercy Books, her business partner is longtime bookseller John Gaylord, who is a part owner and general manager. Gaylord has conceived, opened and operated 24 bookstores during his 47 years in the bookselling business, including 15 Little Professor Book Centers and the Gaylord Companies. The Gramercy team also includes store manager Debbie Boggs, who has more than 20 years of book merchandising experience.
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| Linda Kass at Gramercy Books | |
"With the help of Paz & Associates, a local space designer named Nick Magoto whom I've known for years, and inspiration from many bookstore visits across the country, we've created a cozy, warm space that I think customers will love," Kass said.
Complementing the bookstore, the second location of Kittie's Cakes will open Friday. Donna Paz Kaufman of the Bookstore Training Group of Paz & Associates, which helped design Gramercy Books, said, "The synergy between the reading and cafe cultures has been a proven winner in bookstores. The combination offers what many people crave these days: a third place that offers authenticity and an opportunity to make human connections."
Gramercy Books plans to host ongoing events for the community beginning in February, including a bimonthly Story Time on Sundays at noon, a monthly Author Night, a Songwriter series and a monthly poetry night. The store will also periodically present Gramercy Salon@2424, a program of variable format tied to current books, films and issues, in partnership with organizations like Bexley Public Library, the Drexel Theater and area universities.
Kass noted that the "experience of creating a vision for the store and seeing it realized has been wonderful. Along with curating the store with high quality books that are easy to find, I've learned that the best customer experience is a result of a capable staff who are passionate and knowledgeable about books, and curated events that make the store a gathering place for the community. Gramercy Books strives to do both and more.
"I am fortunate to have a strong team with partner John Gaylord and store manager Debbie Boggs. As a writer who has been in love with books as long as I can remember, I was responsible for the vision of Gramercy Books and have focused on the specially curated sections. John has decades of experience in the financial operations to build success, and Debbie is a wonderful merchandiser. We are a great team."