Introduction to Kindred Stories
Kindred Stories, a Black-owned bookstore in Third Ward, is reopening at its new location inside the Eldorado Ballroom at 2310 Elgin Street. The grand reopening is set for this Saturday, May 17, but the store has already begun a soft opening.
Background and History
The bookstore was previously located on Stuart St., where it was part of Project Row Houses’ Incubation Program. However, the nonprofit informed Kindred and other businesses that they had to vacate their premises by the end of the month to make way for new businesses. Luckily, Kindred had already found a new location, next to The Rado Market, a neighborhood eatery that has a collection of cookbooks curated by Kindred.
The New Location
The new location is a significant upgrade from the previous one, with around 1200 square feet of space compared to the previous 450 square feet. This provides more room for customers to browse and spend time in the store. "There’s more room to just spend time in the store," says Terri Hamm, founder and owner of Kindred. "I feel like that’s the ideal bookstore experience, when you can go in and really take your time."
The Moving Process
Hamm turned the moving process into a fun event for her and her loyal customers. She invited around 20 of her top community members to help pack up the books and move them to the new location. The process took only a few hours, and the store has been unboxing and setting up ever since.
Current Status and Future Plans
Although the store is open and ready to welcome customers, Hamm insists that they are only 90 percent done. More work needs to be done, including installing light fixtures, bringing in plants and furniture, and installing custom-made wallpaper. "So, we have a few little things that need to happen," says Hamm. "And, then, I feel like the space will be really, really ready – probably in another six months."
Events and Activities
Despite the ongoing setup, Kindred Stories is already hosting events and activities. This month’s calendar includes appearances from authors and book clubs. Hamm is looking forward to new customers discovering the store and its offerings. "The bestsellers are selling," she says, "But I feel like, in this space, people are going to get to discover a lot of under-the-radar titles, just because there’s more space to see the books and explore."
Conclusion
Kindred Stories is excited to start its new chapter at the Eldorado Ballroom. With its larger space and ongoing events, the store is ready to welcome new and old customers alike. As Hamm says, the ideal bookstore experience is one where customers can take their time and explore, and Kindred Stories is well on its way to providing just that.
