Chapter 3, a Black-owned bookstore and cafe, is coming to San Francisco, Calif., Mission Local reported. Owner Vanessa Lee has filed a permit application to open Chapter 3 at 4512 3rd St. in San Francisco's Bayview-Hunters Point neighborhood. Lee is also the owner of Smoke Soul Kitchen, a restaurant in the same neighborhood.
Lee told Mission Local she was inspired by Marcus Books, a Black-owned bookstore that once operated in the Filmore before moving to Oakland. "I saw how it brought the community together," Lee said. "I wanted to put together a place that people will really like and that we deserve."
Lee plans to host a variety of events at Chapter 3, including author readings and live performances, and the cafe will become a wine bar in the evenings. Chapter 3 will also have a program through which customers can exchange used books by Black authors for new titles.
Earlier this year, Lee received a Storefront Opportunity Grant for Chapter 3. Awarded by the city of San Francisco, the grants aim to help fill vacant storefronts with community-focused businesses.
Per Mission Local, the neighborhood has been without a bookstore for over two years following the closure of Just A Touch Christian Bookstore.