Brookline Booksmith in Brookline, Mass., has completed its expansion into a 4,000-square-foot adjacent storefront, the Boston Globe reported.
The Novel Kitchen, a book-themed restaurant, will open in that space later this month, and the bookstore team has already moved the top 100 titles of the year, along with cookbooks and children's books, into the new space, allowing for wider aisles and better social distancing throughout the store. The addition also includes new registers and plenty of sidelines and gift offerings.
Given the restrictions brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, the store had to scale down its plans for the renovation a bit, co-owner Lisa Gozashti told the Globe. "But I'm still proud of what it's become. With bookstores, you're offering comfort. You’re offering great food and drink, but you’re also offering something that’s humble and genuine and goes beyond the actual commerce aspect."
When the Novel Kitchen opens, it will operate as a "no-cook" space due to pandemic restrictions and will serve prepared foods along with wine, cocktails and cheese. Initially it will seat up to 16 people, and will be able to accommodate 45 whenever social distancing restrictions end. Jenn Mason, founder of the cheese shop Curds & Co. in Brookline, is running the Novel Kitchen, and some of the restaurant's prepared food will be sourced from local chefs.
The store had originally planned for the renovations to include a community gathering space with sofas, a fireplace and extra space for events. Given the pandemic, those plans are on hold. The final touches of the renovation, including a few murals and bathroom renovations, should be completed within a week.