Books & Books Fêtes 30 Years
Founder Mitchell Kaplan reflects on three decades of cultural blossoming.
October 29, 2012
On Saturday, November 3, Books & Books—long revered as Miami’s premier literary haven—will toast 30 years with a food-fueled free-admission block party at their flagship Coral Gables location (7-9 PM). Fare will be provided by some of Miami's best chef-cum-authors like Michelle Bernstein, Steven Haas, and Thomas Buckley. Shoppers will also receive 30% off their purchases throughout the entire day.
According to founder Mitchell Kaplan, the reason Books & Books has survived to see its 30th anniversary despite ups and downs in publishing is all about a supportive community. "We have community foremost in our minds in everything that we do,” Kaplan says. “We are part of a larger community here in Miami. We have grown as this community has grown and given back a lot to them as well. Readers and writers have recognized that and have supported us for it."
So what's next after this milestone celebration? "We plan to continue our strong commitment to bolstering the reading and writing community here," Kaplan says. "We want to make sure we serve our readers in any way they would like us to. Part of that is to provide the best spaces that we can as meeting places. Places where people come to congregate over a glass of wine, coffee, or a meal. We also want to make sure we're carrying the selection that the reading community wants."
Books & Books also plans to join forces with the KoBo e-reader within the next month—those who shop for ebooks on KoBo will have the choice to put a portion of their purchase toward supporting Books & Books' initiatives. 265 Aragon Ave., Coral Gables, 305-442-4408
Photography by Justin Namon/RA-HAUS
