The Bronx is Reading: The Lit. Bar becomes the borough's only indie bookstore

The Lit. Bar opened to cheers from excited neighbors over the weekend in the Mott Haven section of the South Bronx. Many had been following the store's journey for years. Part book store and part wine bar, The Lit. Bar became a reality through a crowd funding campaign. Noëlle Santos is the owner. She first came up with the idea as she worked to save what would have been her competitor - Barnes and Noble. Despite her efforts, the book selling giant closed in 2016.

The store's opening was festive and glamorous. Music played and balloons were being blown up as people packed into the store. Santos spoke about wanting to create a bookstore that catered to the Bronx community, “I carefully curate this store. I make sure the inventory reflects the community which is mostly Latinx and African-American population. So we focused on marginalized voices, people of color, the LGBT community, people with disabilities, the whole range."

Santos recited a poem at the ribbon cutting, in part that reflected her desire for the future of the borough she grew up in.

“Thank you for opening your hearts and helping me show the world what many failed to see that the Bronx is no longer burning except with the desire to read.” recited Santos. “And that we thrive just like the indie bookseller that you were told died. The numbers don’t lie.”