Have you ever dreamed of opening a bookstore one day? For novelist Maura Cheeks, that day was June 23, the day she opened Liz’s Book Bar in Carroll Gardens. (It’s also a cafe and wine bar!) Here she talks about her work clothes, her favorite novels, and her $60 wedding ring.
Shirt: Liz’s Bookbar. Shorts: Everlane, similar. Hoop: Same.
“People think I’m Liz because my bookstore is called Liz Book Bar, but she was actually my maternal grandmother. When I was growing up in Philadelphia, , we went to the bookstore together and she handed me these thick books that I probably shouldn’t have read. She made me believe that writing was something I could do. We felt it was the right way to honor her by naming the store after her.”
Jumpsuit: Everlane, resale site. Tote: Liz’s Book Bar. Shoes: “DNA Footwear Senderos Clogs”, similar. Hoop: Same.
“I’m often in a basement or behind a bar, so comfort is a priority. I mostly wear loose-fitting pants and open-toed shoes. But when I’m short on time, I picked up this jumpsuit and wear it at least once a week.”
Pants: Paloma wool, also available on resale sites. Shirt: Same. Shoes: “DNA Footwear Senderos Clogs”, similar.
“When it comes to pants, I love Paloma wool’s loud prints, like this plaid. They also have the best sweaters, and I always wear sweaters in the winter.”
“When we got married, my husband and I both wanted simple rings. We found these iblack bands on Etsy. My husband picks up shifts if we’re short-staffed, which I really appreciate.”
Jumpsuit: “Philadelphia Street Festival”, as well. Hoop: Same.
“New Yorkers wear a lot of black, so when I’m wearing something bright, customers notice, ‘Oh, how are you feeling today?’ I really enjoy working the bar shift at Liz’s. I’m already a regular customer. There are a lot of people here, and the staff is very selective. It’s a great community.”
Shirt: Rag & Bone. Pants: 33 Field Trip. Shoes: “DNA Footwear Senderos Clogs”, similar. Hoop: Same.
“In 2019, I wrote an article about the racial wealth gap in the United States. After I finished it, I still had many questions I wanted to explore. So I turned to fiction.” Acts of Forgiveness depicts what happens after a reparations law is passed, and looks more broadly at what it means for one family and a country.
“Managing a bookstore, like many other things, is more stressful and tiring than you might imagine.There are countless details, so you have to make decisions on the spot every day.However, it is rewarding. There aren’t many black-owned businesses in this neighborhood, and that’s when a lot of black women came up to me and told me they were so proud of what I was doing. I can’t stop.”
Thank you, Maura, for welcoming us into your bookstore and your world!
PS Many more women are sharing their outfits from the past few weeks, including a pattern lover in Seattle and an antique dealer in Maine.
(Photograph: Yumi Matsuo)
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