Discover how Pages Bookshop in Detroit was revived by the Steen Foundation into a vibrant hub for youth, literature, and creative community programs.
In the heart of the Grandmont Rosedale neighborhood in Detroit, a beloved literary haven is experiencing a welcome renaissance. Pages Bookshop, a cherished independent bookstore, has found new life with the Steen Foundation. This transition is very welcome in the eyes of the community, who are grateful for the preservation of a community gem and the revival of its spirit.
Meet the New Owners: The Steen Foundation
At the helm of this exciting transition is the Steen Foundation, led by 23-year-old Detroit native Jeremiah Steen. Founded in 2018, the organization is dedicated to youth empowerment and workforce development. Jeremiah, alongside 24-year-old Grandmont Rosedale resident Jelani Stowers, who now serves as Pages’ general manager, has taken over with more than just money. The pair share a deep-rooted passion for community engagement and literature.
Buying Pages’ Bookshop has ensured that a vibrant and crucial part of Detroit’s cultural landscape stays alive and well. Jeremiah and Jelani are committed to working together to honor the legacy of Pages and its former owner, Susan Murphy, who had intended to close the store after a decade.
More Than Just Books
The rejuvenated Pages Bookshop hosted a grand opening in April. The event featured community speakers, student performances, and even some wonderful book giveaways. However, the Steen Foundation’s vision for Pages extends beyond traditional bookselling. The new owners plan to transform the space into a multifaceted community hub, complete with art displays and a podcast studio.
In collaboration with the Black Marriage Movement, the Steen Foundation aims to create an environment that inspires young people to read, write, and engage with literature in innovative ways. The store also has a community advisory board comprising Detroit residents to guide the programming and book selections.
Outreach and Scholarships
Recognizing the importance of accessibility, the new Pages Bookshop plans to extend its reach beyond its physical location. As part of their outreach program, a free traveling book fair will visit various Detroit schools, bringing literature directly to students.
On top of all of this, a portion of proceeds from select book sales will fund a brilliant new scholarship program, offering $1,000 awards to students in the Detroit Public Schools Community District. This specific initiative has been named after the store’s former owner’s resident cat, Pip, another reminder of the store’s past.
These efforts underscore the Steen Foundation’s commitment to fostering a love for reading and supporting educational opportunities for Detroit’s youth.
Changing Pages
Jeremiah has made it clear that the Pages name and logo will remain, but he has also made it clear that Pages customers can expect to see an increased presence of youth authors on the shelves. The manager, Jelani, who has a personal history with the bookstore, emphasizes the importance of curating a selection that resonates with the community.
“When I’m curating the books, I am servicing the community,” Jelani notes, highlighting the balance between honoring customer preferences and introducing new, engaging titles.
Jeremiah’s new and community-based approach ensures that Pages Bookshop continues to be a welcoming space where readers of all ages can discover stories that reflect their experiences and aspirations.
The Importance of Independent Bookstores
Revitalizing Pages Bookshop is not a lone event. It’s actually part of a larger trend in Detroit, where many new independent bookstores are emerging. From East English Village to Southwest Detroit, these spaces are redefining the role of bookstores in large urban communities.
Elsewhere in Detroit, for example, Jerjuan Howard plans to open the Howard Family Bookstore, which he intends to be a combined bookstore, community space, and coffee shop, in June.
The rise in these sorts of business efforts reflects a growing recognition across the state, and even further, of the importance of accessible, community-centered literary spaces in fostering cultural engagement and education.
These new independent bookstores are more than just places to buy books. They are vital cultural anchors in their communities. Unlike the massive chains in the cities and the online giants, smaller independent bookstores reflect the character and needs of the neighborhoods they serve.
An independent bookstore is more able to support local authors, curate titles that speak to community interests, and often double as gathering spaces for events, workshops, and conversations. This is exactly what Jeremiah of the Steen Foundation envisions—hence the creation of a community advisory board to guide store selections.
In cities like Detroit, places like independent bookstores provide safe, welcoming spaces where people of all ages can connect over ideas, art, and stories. They contribute to the local economy, support nearby businesses, and create jobs. These stores help neighborhoods thrive, not just economically, but socially and creatively, too.
Independent bookstores like Pages Bookshop show that when you invest in books, you’re also investing in people, which is the driving force behind why the Steen Foundation have stepped in to save Pages.
A Story of Renewal and Hope
This community-led and youth-focused transformation of Pages Bookshop under the guidance of the Steen Foundation really goes to show the power of community collaboration. By preserving a cherished neighborhood institution and infusing it with a brand new purpose, Jeremiah and his team are working hard to pen an inspiring new chapter in Detroit’s literary landscape.
As Pages Bookshop reopens its doors, it stands as a testament to the enduring value of independent bookstores and the profound impact they can have on the communities they serve.
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Millie Ramm
Millie has been writing since she was a child, and has spent more time with her nose in books than anywhere else. She has been ghostwriting novels and editing for the past few years, and when not working she is curled up with her cats, looking for her next read.
