On Small Business Saturday, Books & Books launches non-profit literary foundation to expand its community impact

The bookstore joins others across the country seeking new business models to ensure their long-term growth and sustainability

(Nov. 20, 2023) MIAMI – Books & Books, Miami’s locally-owned, independent bookstore, is opening a new chapter in its four-decade history by launching a nonprofit literary foundation that will expand its community programming while ensuring its sustainability for years to come.

The Books & Books Literary Foundation will broaden the idea of what a bookstore can be. Through a series of events and programming, the foundation will use the power of literary culture to cultivate and nurture new readers, build community and advocate for writers, books and the freedom to read.

A new model for bookstores

Small Business Saturday – the national day that celebrates small businesses’ community impact – was chosen purposefully for the launch. Bookstores across the country – from Tulsa, Oklahoma to Menlo Park, California – are turning to new business models, to ensure their community programming thrives regardless of the changes in the retail market.

“Books & Books has always been more than a bookstore. Whether in Bal Harbour or Key West, the Grove or Coral Gables, we are a space where people gather and enjoy a conversation that sparks new thinking and ideas. We want to ensure this essential community programming can live on, while bringing it to even more people,” said Books & Books founder Mitchell Kaplan.

The literary foundation has already begun its work, giving out thousands of banned books over the past year and working with artists to advocate for the freedom to read.

The foundation will launch a full series of readings, talks and events that include providing author visits and free books to schools where students don’t have access to them, partnering with nonprofits to provide them with a bigger platform and adding a literary component to their programming, supporting and mentoring local writers, and providing a space to convene the community and foster empathy through reading and discussion.

The foundation will celebrate its launch with a free event in partnership with the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce at the Coral Gables store, 265 Aragon Ave., on Nov. 25. A Small Business Saturday event will begin at 10 a.m., with the launch of the literary foundation following at 11 a.m.

“We are the community we are today in Coral Gables because of our locally-owned businesses. They are the engines that hum big and help make our economy stronger. We’re proud to celebrate Small Business Saturday with our friends at Books & Books as they enter a new chapter,” said Mark A. Trowbridge, president of the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce.

The Coral Gables Community Foundation is the fiscal sponsor for the foundation.

“Books & Books has been a pillar in the Gables for decades, and an essential partner for nonprofits and small businesses. We’re thrilled to see its impact grow even further through the Literary Foundation,” said Mary Snow, president of the Coral Gables Community Foundation.

Learn more about the Books & Books Literary Foundation, and donate, at booksandbooks.com/foundation.

About the Books & Books Literary Foundation

The Books & Books Literary Foundation will use the power of literary culture to cultivate and nurture new readers, build a thriving and diverse community, and advocate for writers, books and the freedom to read.

LINKS

• Books & Books https://www.booksandbooks.com/
• Books & Books Literary Foundation Website: booksandbooks.com/foundation