CultureShift: Detroit bookstore owners hope to secure permanent location in East English Village

Next Chapter Books owners Sarah and Jay Williams join Tia Graham on “CultureShift” to address the bookstore desert in Detroit.

Next chapter bookstore

Next Chapter Bookstore at Alger Theater.

Next Chapter Books began as a Detroit pop-up bookstore on Warren Avenue founded by Sarah Williams and her husband Jay last November.

The store quickly became a neighborhood favorite, so the Wayne State University graduates reached out to the E. Warren Development Corporation to find a physical location where a bookstore could thrive with the community.

The Morningside and East English Village neighborhoods welcomed the Williams, hosting Next Chapter Books at the historic Alger Theater at E. Warren and Outer Dr. The couple is hoping to find a permanent brick-and-mortar location with the help of community members and grassroots outreach.

The Williams joined CultureShift’s Tia Graham to discuss the history of Next Chapter Books and their goals for the future.


Listen: Detroit bookstore owners looking for permanent retail location


Next Chapter Books will remain at the Alger Theater through the end of April 2023.

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Author

  • Tia Graham
    Tia Graham is a reporter and Weekend Edition Host for 101.9 WDET. She graduated from Michigan State University where she had the unique privilege of covering former President Barack Obama and his trip to Lansing in 2014.