For those who have been waiting for a bookstore to open in downtown Bethesda since Barnes & Noble closed about six years ago, there is good news on the horizon. Wonderland Books will be opening this fall at 7920 Norfolk Avenue. Former Washington Post journalist Amy Joyce and former communications executive and current book podcaster Gayle Weiswasser plan to open the store in October. The 2000+-square-foot store will carry a wide variety of books, as well as a curated selection of cards and gifts, and host author readings and other book events.
“Every community needs a bookstore – an inspiring space for readers, writers and thinkers, especially now. I am overjoyed to be able to create this here,” Joyce said in a statement. “I especially can’t wait to welcome children and teens who so desperately need a place to find books that will speak to them, expand their worlds and spur their imaginations. We promise to be this haven for them, like bookstores always were for me.”
“Having free access to a range of viewpoints and voices has never been more important than it is right now,” Weiswasser said. “Opening a bookstore is one of the best ways to ensure that we continue to live in a society that safeguards free expression and the thoughtful exchange of ideas. We are very excited to bring Wonderland Books to this dynamic, enthusiastic community of readers.”
The store's website will be WonderlandBooks.com. Book lovers who want to financially support the renovations needed to transform the space into a bookstore can contribute online.
This is Wonderful news! Reading is fundamental. . .
ReplyDeleteI have a feeling the range of viewpoints and voices there will be quite narrow.
ReplyDeleteOh 9:04. Projection, much? Just because the far right likes book bans doesn't mean everyone does.
DeleteHad to attend a book signing at Politics and Prose, OMG what nauseating clientele!
DeleteGreat news. That location could work well as it has become an alternative to bethesda row.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure this will be as appealing to the general reading public as the other niche bookstores that were here before online shopping became the norm, like the Travel Book Store, the Mystery Book Shop, and the Christian Science Reading Room - I never saw customers in any of them. Second Story and Olsson's were great book stores.
ReplyDeleteVery accurate assessment. Olsson's on Old Georgetown next to Francesca's & Second Story on Bethesda Ave with the resident cat were two of my favorites.
DeleteDon't forget Georgetown Books, the used book store that was in the space now occupied by Starbucks at the corner of Woodmont and Norfolk. Then it moved to Bethesda Avenue, but I don't think it exists as a brick and mortar establishment now.
ReplyDelete9:08 PM and 10:06 AM Thanks for reminding us of all the bookstores downtown Bethesda used to have (in addition to Barnes and Noble and the more recent opening and closure of the Amazon location). Here's another one: Booktopia (in the Bradley Shopping Center on Bradley/Arlington)
ReplyDeleteYour welcome. We all have been reminded here of things at times that we have forgotten!
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ReplyDeleteBookstores with cats are always the best. They actually had two virtually identical black kitties, who were in love with me ever since the time I went in there with a catnip plant from the Farm Women's Market. Both of them went together to a good home when the store had to move, according to a friend who worked there. It's a shame the place they relocated to on Rugby Ave(?) did not succeed.
Glad to know about the 2 kitty relocation. -- The book shop relocation experiment was so short, I forgot about that!
Delete10:06 Bethesda old-timers (i.e. me) remember that Second Story Books operated in three Bethesda locations - first a huge spot with a leaky roof on Old Georgetown Rd. (since razed), then Bethesda Ave., and finally on Fairmont Ave. for a brief time. Also, don't forget Andy Morsund's Georgetown Books on Woodmont Ave., another great used/antiquarian book store.
ReplyDeleteAbove the hair salon where Bethesda Tattoo is now, yes I remember walking up those steep narrow steps into that antiquarian book shop!!
DeleteThis is good news and I read it here first. Nice scoop, Robert Dyer!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this good news. I'm sharing with the neighborhood listserv and so hope we all can keep them in business!
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ReplyDeleteHi Wonderland Book Store Owners,
Will there be a coffee shop with expresso drinks, breads and pastries
and seating there as well?
Carole