After being forced out of its home in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood in May, Revolution Books is preparing to reopen in a new 1,400 sq. ft. space in Harlem on November 24.
To finish renovating its new space on Malcolm X Avenue, Revolution, the flagship store for a group of political bookstores around the country, set a fundraising goal of $160,000. According to spokesperson Raymond Lotta the bookstore has, to date, raised $125,000.
That figure includes donations and loans from donors, as well as more than $30,000 from an Indiegogo campaign launched this summer. “It’s been a labor of love,” said Lotta, who noted that volunteers have helped with the painting and stocking shelves, and that publishers--including Norton, Princeton, Harvard, and Yale University Press--have donated books.
To close the remaining $35,000 gap Revolution Books is planning fundraisers this week and next that give participants a sneak peak at the new space. On Sunday, November 15, the store’s grand opening will feature an afternoon reading by Kenyan writer and former prisoner of conscience Ngugi wa Thiong’o, author of The Book, Story and the Conquest of Time and Space. Revolution spokesperson Andy Zee will give a talk title “Revolution Books and the Fight for the Emancipation of Humanity.” That evening the store will hold a benefit dinner with Ngugi wa Thiong’o and Zee featuring food donated by local restaurants.
Then, On November 21 and 22, the store will host an open house with admission by donation. There will be poetry readings and music by Burnt Sugar. The store will reopen for business two days before Thanksgiving. When it does, its events space will be lacking a few upgrades, including an audio and video system. A planned café is also still to be installed.
