Dreamers & Make-Believers, A New Inclusive Comic Shop In Baltimore

Dreamers & Make-Believers Books is a brand new “Community Bookstore, Comic Book Shop & Coffeehouse” and opened by its proprietor Miranda Nordell at 400 South Highland Avenue, Highlandtown, reverse the Lutheran Church in Baltimore, Maryland final week. They say “We are so excited to open an inclusive comic shop, coffeehouse & bookstore in Southeast Baltimore, focused on stories by & for BIPOC, women & the LGBTQIAA+ community!” They describe their journey thus;

Nestled within the vibrant Highlandtown Arts District simply steps from Patterson Park, you will quickly discover Baltimore’s latest neighborhood comedian store & bookstore! This space of Southeast Baltimore, although dwelling to just about fifty thousand residents, has been with no bookstore. In truth, there aren’t any bookstores OR comedian outlets in all the 21224 area, with the closest comedian store a 45-minute bus trip away!

Like many of us, Dreamers & Make-Believers proprietor Miranda Nordell turned to books in the course of the pandemic. But, with the library closed and no bookstores inside straightforward attain, this proved tougher than anticipated. After a yr of problem accessing new books, and discovering that even not throughout a pandemic, issues like middle-grade graphic novels had been arduous to return by in Baltimore, Miranda determined this simply would not do! If you’ll be able to’t discover what you are searching for, it could be time to construct it your self.

This wasn’t a sudden dream, nevertheless, as, previous to relocating to Baltimore, Miranda managed a set of world-renowned comedian guide shops on the west coast! As the final supervisor for a comic book store in San Francisco, Miranda grew to become deeply immeshed on the planet of comics and graphic novels. Not solely did Miranda hone her abilities of recommending the right learn, however she additionally developed packages for the neighborhood, partnered with native lecturers and librarians, and constructed relationships with comedian creators world wide! Since 2017, Miranda has additionally run the social media account “Femme Power Comix”, which promotes feminist tales in comics, literature, popular culture and past.

Dreamers & Make-Believers provides a various array of books, however makes a speciality of graphic novels, with a specific concentrate on tales written and illustrated by girls, members of the queer neighborhood, and BIPOC. The cabinets are stocked with books and comics for the Dreamer of each age- from board & image books to younger grownup and grownup tales. Dreamers & Make-Believers additionally has over three thousand periodical comedian books on the market, in addition to enjoyable presents and goodies like enamel pins, t-shirts, and even tarot playing cards!

We cannot wait so that you can come go to, whether or not to buy, be a part of a zine making workshop, and even simply to debate a shared love of Mariko Tamaki or Tillie Walden! Until then, we hope you will go to us at one in every of our many pop-up occasions across the metropolis, like our recurring Wednesday night pop-up at Mobtown Brewing in Brewers Hill! Can’t make it out? You can at all times order by our web site or over the telephone, or just ship us an e-mail to say “hello!”

And after their opening, posted to Facebook, saying “Wow. We will never forget how hard you showed up for us and celebrated with us as we officially opened this big, beautiful, dreamy new literary touchstone in Highlandtown. We are so grateful to be here with and for you all, and we can’t wait to make more outstanding memories together  Keep your eyes peeled for event announcements as we build our shop calendar (Author signings! Queer clothing swap! Story times!), but in the meantime you’ll find us in the shop six days a week (mondays are for sleeping) serving up coffee & slinging books! P.S. Did you take photos on Friday? Please send them our way!” Our means as effectively!