books

Major Mount Pleasant Bummer: Bold Fork Books Closing at the end of September.

By Prince Of Petworth

3064 Mt. Pleasant Street, NW

On August 20th a reader wrote in “Is Everything OK at Bold Fork Books?” Sadly, everything is not OK.

Thanks to all who passed on from Bold Fork Books today:

“We’re writing to you with some very difficult news. After almost six joyful years, Bold Fork Books will be closing on September 30th.

This has been a brutal year for our bookstore—from the immovable realities of narrow margins, fixed expenses, and the creep of online retailers to the hits DC has taken from the federal government’s actions. Business has slowed, costs have gone up, and there’s no indication these trendlines will change anytime soon. Like so many of our fellow small businesses, we’ve tried to come up with solutions, but the fundamentals have become insurmountable. (more…)

“Is Everything OK at Bold Fork Books?”

By Prince Of Petworth

3064 Mt. Pleasant Street, NW

“Dear PoPville,

Something strange is going on at Bold Fork Books, the beloved cookbook bookstore in Mount Pleasant — on a recent visit, their stock of new books seemed to have diminished by 60-70%. Many shelves had only a few new books on them, and the covers of several remaining books were turned to face outward to cover the obvious gaps. An employee said they were “selling down” their stock of new books, and had added two full shelves of “vintage” cookbooks with yellowing dust jackets, which their sandwich board out on the sidewalk also advertised. When I asked if they were going to stop selling new books altogether, (more…)

“National Book Festival Features More Than 80 Authors and New Programming to Celebrate America 250”

By Prince Of Petworth

From the Library of Congress:

“The Library of Congress National Book Festival will return on Saturday, Aug. 22, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. Part of the Library’s celebration of America 250: It’s Your Story, this year’s festival is an invitation to further appreciate the country’s history.

One of the nation’s favorite literary traditions, the 2026 National Book Festival will provide a multifaceted storytelling experience with expanded programming. Throughout the day, attendees will hear conversations with more than 80 authors from a myriad of literary genres. Additionally, there will be programming spotlighting music, film, recorded sound, veterans’ history, American folklife, and more, providing a window into the vast scope of the Library’s collections and year-round programs.

This year’s festival lineup includes the following headliners: (more…)

FANTASTIC Friendship Heights Scuttlebutt – Barnes and Noble Inbound?!?

By Prince Of Petworth


Wisconsin and Western Ave, NW

I’m hearing from a very good source that a Barnes and Noble bookstore is looking to come to the building where Total Wine is located. Waiting on confirmation but I think they would do very well there!

Barnes and Noble is slowing reemerging on the DC scene with relatively recent (re) openings in Georgetown (2024) and Penn Quarter (January 2026.)

STAY TUNED.

WHOA/DEVELOPING: “The Potter’s House DC (PHDC) will be closed until further notice. This closure includes the cafe and bookstore…” in Adams Morgan

By Prince Of Petworth


1658 Columbia Road, NW in brighter days back in 2014

Potter’s House shares on their IG:

“We are devastated by this development, and know that this space has been a pillar for our neighbors and friends for over 65 years. We only hope to re-open PHDC as an independent, self-funded organization dedicated to serving others and creating space for everyone to feel welcomed. It has been our privilege to work for this organization, and we love you all.”

For those not familiar with Potter’s House, located at 1658 Columbia Road NW, some history on them  here and here.

Oh yikes, thanks to all who passed on from Potter’s House:

“Important Update on the Operation of The Potter’s House DC

Please see the below statement regarding the immediate closure of The Potter’s House DC for the foreseeable future. Please also note that any communications received between January 7th and January 27th were not sent by PHDC staff, nor are they aware of what those communications entailed.

To our community,

Due to recent and unforeseen circumstances, The Potter’s House DC (PHDC) will be closed until further notice. This closure includes the cafe and bookstore’s normal operating hours, as well as all public and private events at PHDC.

As many of you may know, we scheduled a temporary break during the month of January to update many of our administrative systems, train our staff with updated guidance, and hire additional staff to help us expand our ability to operate sustainably as a nonprofit organization. When we came to work on January 1, 2026, we fully believed that this plan would be put into action. Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond our control and additional challenges we were unaware of, PHDC no longer has access to the necessary funds to continue operation at this time. (more…)

“The new Barnes & Noble will offer over 15,000 square feet of books, toys, games, magazines, gift items and more.” F Street Opening Next Week

By Prince Of Petworth


1025 F Street, NW

Full release from Barnes & Noble:

“Barnes & Noble is pleased to announce the opening of its newest Washington, D.C. bookstore on Wednesday, January 21st.

The new Barnes & Noble will offer over 15,000 square feet of books, toys, games, magazines, gift items and more. The new multilevel Barnes & Noble is located at 1025 F Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20004, in the historic Woodward & Lothrop building. This new downtown Barnes & Noble is less than a mile from The White House, National Mall, several Smithsonian Museums, and is just a stone’s throw away from the Petersen House where President Lincoln spent his last days.

The bookseller’s return to downtown D.C. comes (more…)

“Flor. Coffee + Books Relaunches Flor. Books, an International Bookshop”

By Prince Of Petworth


“Florencia Agrazo and Carola Mandelbaum, co-owners of Flor. Books”

From a press release:

“Flor. Coffee + Books, the Buenos Aires–inspired café and bookstore that opened in Georgetown in August, is relaunching its upstairs bookshop, Flor. Books, this week, with a refreshed selection and new programming shaped by customer feedback.

Co-owned by Florencia Agrazo (Flor. Coffee) and Carola Mandelbaum, who curates the shop and leads events, Flor. Books is “designed for discovery and connection,” according to Mandelbaum. The shelves highlight contemporary literature, standout international and Spanish-language titles, and writers whose work crosses cultures—from atmospheric fiction and inventive narratives to timely nonfiction and bilingual books for young readers. Guests will also find limited-edition classics and thoughtfully chosen gifts. (more…)

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