Two of D.C.’s cultural institutions in the restaurant and retailing world will join forces next year when Politics and Prose begins curating the retail book operations at most locations of Busboys & Poets.
The restaurant hangouts from restaurateur Andy Shallal have always had a bookstore component focused on social justice. Starting in December, with the Brookland location of Busboy’s, Politics & Prose will begin managing the book operations.
The Takoma D.C. location opening in January will be the next step. Eventually, Busboys locations in Shirlington, Hyattsville and in Mount Vernon Triangle will also get the Politics & Prose treatment.
The bookstore at the 14th and V streets location will continue to be managed by Teaching for Change, a D.C. nonprofit focused on providing educational resources to inner-city schools.
As part of the partnership, the Politics & Prose team will schedule book signings, author talks, literary workshops and children’s events, according to a statement from P&P.
The partnership was a natural fit, because of the institutions’ reputations as places offering space for the exchange of ideas and discussions of literature and political discourse, according to the statement.
“Both enterprises share a deep commitment to building community, providing quality customer service, and promoting public discussion of ideas, cultural issues, and current events,” Politics & Prose owners Bradley Graham and Lissa Muscatine wrote in a statement announcing the partnership. “We’re especially grateful to Busboys and Poets owner Andy Shallal for suggesting this venture and for believing in the power of books to enliven, educate, and enrich our community.”
Busboys & Poets has been in growth mode for the past two years, signing leases for the Takoma and Brookland locations even as Shallal made a run for the D.C. Democratic mayoral nomination.
