Nikole Hannah-Jones to Open a Literary Salon
Nikole Hannah-Jones’s mission has always been clear: protect, uplift, and celebrate Black culture. From the seismic impact of “The 1619 Project” to her tireless work elevating Black journalists through the Ida B. Wells Society, she is a force redefining the narrative. Now, she aims to leave a new legacy in Brooklyn’s Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood—a legacy carved in brick, books, and Black brilliance.
In partnership with Bed-Stuy power couple Rotimi and Ayo Akinnuoye—the minds behind local staples Bed-Vyne Wine, Brew, and Cocktail—and DJ Johnson, owner of New Orleans’s Baldwin & Co., Hannah-Jones is launching The North Star Books + Bar. At its heart, it’s more than a bookstore or bar: it’s a cultural salon, a living canvas for creativity at the crossroads of Macon Street and Marcus Garvey Boulevard.
“I’m very plugged into the writer community,” Hannah-Jones shares, her voice brimming with purpose. “Whenever you have big book events in the city, they’re not at Black bookstores and they’re not in Black neighborhoods.” Her vision is radical: Black literary heroes gathered in Bed-Stuy, where belonging is built into every shelf.
Before its rebirth, Macon Hardware served the neighborhood’s practical and spiritual needs as one of Bed-Stuy’s longest-standing Black-owned businesses. The shop wasn’t just a place for tools—it was where wisdom was handed down, reflecting the deep ties woven through the community.
With gentrification rapidly reshaping Bed-Stuy, Hannah-Jones felt called to restore cultural ownership. Her reverence for history is palpable. “I’m very much aware of the history, and very much honored to keep the building Black-owned, frankly.” It’s a declaration and a promise.
The roots of Macon Hardware run deep. Warren Hayes, whose family stewarded the store for decades, recalls his father Peter starting as a 12-year-old worker, eventually buying the shop with his wife Clara in 1987. Their story echoes the journey of many Black families—building, persevering, and ultimately making hard choices when confronted with change.
After Clara’s passing, Hayes faced an impossible decision: passing the torch. Hannah-Jones’s vision offered comfort—a new steward who cherishes Bed-Stuy’s traditions and dreams, ensuring the building remains a beacon for Black Brooklynites.
The North Star Books + Bar will be a multifaceted sanctuary: part bookstore, part café, part cultural salon. The first floor will host a lively bar and kitchen, promising nourishment for body and soul. Upstairs, apartments transform into micro-residencies, welcoming writers for workshops, readings, and vibrant community events.
“We’re not going to have a huge menu,” Hannah-Jones laughs, practical yet ambitious. “It’s hard enough to make money on books, but we will have the capability to offer a full menu whenever we’re ready.” The mission is clear: prioritize literature and connection over commerce.
Inspired by the Harlem Renaissance, The North Star’s Art Deco design pays tribute to Black literary giants—Zora Neale Hurston, James Baldwin, and the contemporary voices writing the future. The aesthetic is both classic and fresh, bridging the generations and styles that define Black excellence.
Having lived in Bed-Stuy for 15 years, Hannah-Jones quietly cultivated this dream, hosting intimate readings in her home and searching out the perfect space. When her initial lease fell through, she set her sights on ownership—spotting 339 Macon Street and making her case, heart and history on her sleeve.
“As a creative, especially in these times, we need spaces to exchange knowledge, ideas, literature, art,” Hannah-Jones affirms. The North Star Books + Bar will honor Black writers of every era and form, anchoring Bed-Stuy’s evolving story in community, creativity, and unshakable Black spirit.
