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The iconic, neighborhood book store Book Revue closed its doors Sept. 10, leaving readers throughout the Huntington area and beyond mourning the end of an era.
But nearly two months later, Mallory Braun, an ex-manager of the bookstore, is working to keep the spirit of the independently-owned shop alive.
With guidance from Book Revue owner Richard Klein, Braun, 28, plans to open up her own bookstore — fittingly named The Next Chapter.
“A bookstore can be a place of solace, of wonder, of exhilaration — it’s the people and the times after all, in part, who make up a place,” Braun said in an official announcement. “This store will venture to reincarnate the spirit of Book Revue.”
Seeking the community’s help to get The Next Chapter off the ground and running, Braun has launched a Kickstarter fundraising campaign.
Her goal: Raise $250,000 in 45 days, with rewards given for various amounts of donations. Since its Nov. 1 launch, the project has raised over $57,000.
The Kickstarter ends Dec. 16. If the goal is not attained, every donation go back to the donors, she said.
Braun’s vision for The Next Chapter is to sell used, remainders (similar to the items that were featured on the front tables at the Book Revue) and rare books, which are smack in Braun’s wheelhouse.
The space will also consist of zines (self-published books), ephemera, art, upcycled books, vinyl, locally made and handmade sidelines, and a selection of new books.
As the business grows, Braun hopes to increase the number of new books as well and offer orders for any book a customer is looking for that they don’t already have in the store.
Just as the Book Revue served as a social and cultural gathering space, Braun plans to recreate the same experience with classes and workshops, local author readings and performances. Eventually, she hopes to schedule national author signings.
YOU CAN CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO BRAUN’S CAUSE.
Follow The Next Chapter on Instagram, Twitter (@nextchapterli), and Facebook for updates, or visit its website.
Continue to follow greaterhuntington.com for more on this developing story.
Top: The Next Chapter logo. Photo courtesy of Braun’s Kickstarter page.
