Nikole Hannah-Jones Opens Literary Salon in Brooklyn

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones, known for her powerful work on “The 1619 Project” and her dedication to supporting Black journalists, is embarking on a new venture. She’s set to open a literary salon and bar in Brooklyn’s vibrant Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood, aiming to create a space that celebrates Black writers across all eras and genres.

The North Star Books + Bar: A Community Hub

Partnering with local entrepreneurs Rotimi and Ayo Akinnuoye (behind Bed-Vyne Wine, Brew, and Cocktail) and DJ Johnson (owner of New Orleans’ Baldwin & Co.), Hannah-Jones is launching The North Star Books + Bar. This new establishment will occupy the former Macon Hardware space, a beloved community fixture that closed in 2023.

The goal is to create a space where writers and readers can connect. “I wanted to be able to bring those writers into our community,” Hannah-Jones told Brownstoner. “Whenever you have big book events in the city, they’re not at Black bookstores and they’re not in Black neighborhoods, so I really wanted to bring that to Bed-Stuy.”

Honoring History and Combating Gentrification

The choice of location is deeply significant. Macon Hardware was one of Bed-Stuy’s longest-standing Black-owned businesses. Hannah-Jones expressed her honor in continuing that legacy, especially in a neighborhood facing the pressures of gentrification. The building was sold to her by Warren Hayes, whose family owned Macon Hardware for decades.

“I’m very much aware of the history, and very much honored to keep the building Black owned, frankly,” she stated. The Hayes family, with a history tied to the store since Peter Hayes began working there at 12 years old, found comfort in selling to someone invested in the community’s well-being.

A Space for Creativity and Connection

The North Star Books + Bar is envisioned as more than just a bookstore and bar. It will be a cultural salon spread across two floors. The first floor will feature a full bar and kitchen, while the second floor will house micro-residencies for visiting writers. These writers will engage with the community through workshops, readings, and events.

Inspired by the Harlem Renaissance and an Art Deco aesthetic, the space aims to pay homage to Black literary figures from Zora Neale Hurston and James Baldwin to today’s influential voices. Hannah-Jones, a nearly 15-year resident of Bed-Stuy, has long dreamed of creating such a space, wanting it to be a sanctuary for creative exchange.