It started with the idea for a community gathering place.
A bookstore, but also an art space.
A coffee shop, but also a beer and wine bar.
A place for reading, but also for song, spoken word, performance.
A place for reading, but also for writing, connecting, thinking.
In April of 2014, the Block founders walked into the Adults Only porn store on Spenard Road. It took years to negotiate the purchase of the property, but they finally got the keys in 2015. After cleaning, painting, and burning sage, they opened the space to poets and dancers, musicians and painters, writers and artists. These Art Occupations helped transform a place associated with sex trafficking, drug dealing, and disconnection into a community hub. (See the video!)
The two trailers and faux front that gave birth to The Block came down in May 2017. Finally in January 2018, came its final transformation: The Writer’s Block Bookstore & Cafe
