Word Up, the pop-up bookstore capturing the hearts of poets and artists in Washington Heights, may not have ended its story just yet.
The group of volunteers that run the shop in conjunction with Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance is currently in negotiating with developer Vantage Properties to extend its stay through December, reports DNAinfo.
Word Up was born when the property company first allowed a group of artists to hold down the space on June 17. Since then, the shop took off in popularity and its lease was extended on a month-to-month basis.
The store has become a hub for a diverse artistic community. This past Saturday, more than 100 people showed up to hear poetry readings from local artists, including Rich Diaz and Rammer Martinez Sanchez.
Word Up is entirely funded from public donations and income generated from the bookstore.
"We need long-term funding so Word Up can make a difference in Washington Heights," said Veronica Liu, one of the core volunteers that started the shop.
In the meantime, Word Up will work on a lease extension so it can stay popping.
For more on this story, visit DNAinfo.
Word Up Bookstore: 4157 Broadway, bet. 175th and 176th sts.
