June 12, 2025 Bed-Stuy Brooklyn, NY In a city teeming with literary havens, a new chapter is set to unfold in Brooklyn this fall. BEM, a first-of-its-kind food bookstore and culinary hub dedicated to Black foodways, is preparing to open its doors, promising to be a vibrant center for discovery, community, and the rich narrative of Black culinary culture.

From Vision to Reality: The Journey of BEM

For sisters Gabrielle and Danielle Davenport, the journey to BEM’s physical storefront has been a marathon, not a sprint. After years of meticulous searching and a series of frustrating false starts, the duo has finally secured a lease at 373 Lewis Avenue in Bed-Stuy, a significant step toward realizing their long-held dream. “People have told us very explicitly, ‘We need this,’” shared Danielle, underscoring the palpable demand for such a unique establishment.

BEM’s roots stretch back to 2021 when the sisters initially launched an online shop and hosted pop-up events. Their recent announcement of the Lewis Avenue lease marks a pivotal moment, transitioning from a digital presence to a tangible space.

Curating a Culinary Legacy: What to Expect at BEM

Danielle Davenport, BEM’s discerning buyer, emphasizes that the bookstore's selection will remain steadfast in its mission: to explore not only cookbooks by Black authors but also broader literature where "food shows up in big and interesting and rich ways." Every title gracing BEM’s shelves will be penned by a Black author and feature some aspect of food, offering a unique literary lens into the African diaspora's culinary heritage.

BEM has already cultivated a reputation as an invaluable resource, showcasing a diverse range of works. From classic cookbooks like Edna Lewis’s seminal work to contemporary releases such as Crystal Wilkinson’s Praisesong for the Kitchen Ghosts, the selection extends beyond traditional recipes. Literary masterpieces like Toni Morrison’s Beloved, where biscuits are a poignant motif, and Francesca Ekwuyasi’s Butter Honey Pig Bread, which lyrically recounts the art of baking, find a prominent place. Ntozake Shange’s If I Can Cook/You Know God Can, a foundational text that inspired Gabrielle’s pursuit of Black food writing, is also a cornerstone of their collection.

More Than a Bookstore: A Community Hub

Though BEM has evolved through various forms, the sisters’ core vision has always been a neighborhood bookstore. The name itself is a heartfelt homage, a riff on their grandmothers’ initials. The concept for BEM was first formally outlined in September 2019 as part of the Brooklyn Public Library’s PowerUP program. While the pandemic necessitated an online-only launch in January 2021—despite their initial reluctance toward e-commerce—it inadvertently paved the way for BEM to forge deep connections within the food and literary scenes through extended pop-ups and book events. This growing influence was recognized in 2023 when Cherry Bombe featured the sisters in its prestigious Future of Food 50 list.

The path to BEM’s physical space has been circuitous, marked by both setbacks and perseverance. Danielle, an accomplished actor and writer, and Gabrielle, a seasoned curator and booker, bring a wealth of diverse experiences to their joint venture. Their shared passion for food and literature, coupled with a desire to honor the Black and immigrant communities that have shaped Bed-Stuy, fueled their ambition. They posed a crucial question: "Why are there no Black food bookstores?"—a question that became the catalyst for BEM’s creation.

The chosen location at 373 Lewis Avenue holds particular significance. Formerly home to Skål, a Danish and Colombian cafe, the space captivated the sisters with its floor-to-ceiling windows, inviting natural light, ample room for outdoor seating, and a generously sized kitchen and bar counter. After a period of initial unavailability and even a near miss with another location that spurred a successful Kickstarter campaign raising over $75,000 from 645 backers, the stars finally aligned for the Lewis Avenue spot.

The Davenport Sisters - Clay Williams

A Vision for the Future: Discovery, Connection, and Joy

The Davenports envision BEM as an all-day destination, a dynamic space where community flourishes. Imagine grabbing a morning coffee and pastry before work, caregivers bringing children for after-school snacks, acclaimed chefs hosting intimate supper clubs and cooking classes, scholars delving into an extensive archive of Black culinary literature, and authors celebrating their latest releases.

The opening of BEM this fall, ideally coinciding with the season’s new book releases, will further solidify Bed-Stuy’s literary corner, with the public library conveniently located across the street. The sisters’ timing appears impeccable, as BEM joins a burgeoning trend of new bookstore cafes across Brooklyn, including recent additions like Liz’s Book Bar in Carroll Gardens and the forthcoming Bushwick outpost of the East Village’s Book Club Bar.

The arduous wait has yielded a significant silver lining: the opportunity to cultivate a robust community, with many already inquiring about hosting events at BEM. This weekend, BEM will collaborate on a special Juneteenth event with Nicole Taylor, author of Watermelon & Red Birds: A Cookbook for Juneteenth and Black Celebrations.

Drawing inspiration from bookstores that profoundly impacted their own lives, such as Oakland’s Walden Pond Books and Denver’s Tattered Cover, the sisters aspire to infuse BEM with a similar sense of solace and discovery. “There’s just so much energy around stories,” Danielle reflects. They hope BEM will be a place for unexpected finds and, as Gabrielle adds, “I hope it’s fun. I hope people come here on a Thursday night to get a drink with a friend, just because it’s a nice place to hang out.”

BEM is poised to be more than just a bookstore; it’s a cultural institution in the making, a testament to the power of food, literature, and community.

What stories of Black foodways are you most excited to explore at BEM?