Written by 
SOUTH SHORE — Two Black woman-owned businesses are collaborating to open a “literary lounge” in South Shore with books, home goods and wellness items for sale as the holiday season shifts into full gear.
Da Book Joint and Stoviink Creatives are opening Pen and Paper: A Joint Creative at 6900 S. Stony Island Ave. The shop will combine Da Book Joint’s selection of books by Black writers featuring Black characters with Stoviink’s home and wellness goods like candles, lotions, perfumes and more.
Pen and Paper’s ribbon-cutting ceremony takes place noon Sunday. It’s followed by a grand opening celebration until 6 p.m., which features a set by DJ Tre Holiday, live poetry, raffles, light bites and other activities.
The celebration is centered around the theme of “Black Christmas,” with all black attire requested. Visitors are encouraged to shop the store for holiday gifts. To register for the free event, click here.
Pen and Paper aims to be “a space where there’s records, smell-goods, aromatherapy, [things that give] you an opportunity to escape from what’s on the other side of those doors,” said Megan “Storie” Warren-Turner, Stoviink’s co-owner.
“Any time you come in there, it’s just a whole vibe — with Black culture, community and creativity.”
Pen and Paper’s pairing of books with home and wellness goods is a natural one, and the partner businesses will “integrate products with each other,” the owners said.
For example, certain book releases from Da Book Joint will be packaged with Stoviink’s candles, sprays or other items with a similar theme, said Mary “Tovi Khali” Turner, Stoviink’s co-owner.
“We’re making sure the community understands its all in line,” Turner said. “You’ll see books splayed everywhere — not just in one section — with sprays, soaps and colognes all mingled and intertwined, with art in between everything.
“Nothing is just normal. It’s all creative, and all meant to make sure all of your senses are heightened when you’re here.”
The businesses also have a shared history as former tenants of the Boxville market, 330 E. 51st St. in Washington Park.
Boxville served as a “stepping stone” for the businesses to grow and find their own storefront, Verlean Singletary said. She co-owns Da Book Joint with her daughter, Courtney Woods.
But the shops also struggled to draw customers to the location, the owners said. Singletary and Woods were even ready to close the shop earlier this year before Boxville’s owner, Urban Juncture, offered to help with rent through last winter.
“Being in Boxville, we had plenty of $0 days,” Woods said. “… One thing I appreciate from Boxville is that it wasn’t one of those perfect, cookie-cutter situations. Sometimes it was great; sometimes it was really, really hard, and that has made us more resilient as business owners.”
The owners are excited about the extra space the new storefront provides, they said.
Da Book Joint will expand its inventory and continue hosting book signings, book clubs, a “Books and Brunch” series and kid-focused events from the shop, Woods said. Stoviink has been approached about hosting listening parties and performances there, while the brand’s “Art Off the Wall” exhibition series will return in February, Turner said.
“We think of Da Book Joint as a safe space, and that’s what Pen and Paper is going to be for the neighborhood — a safe space for us to come in, think about our self care, and take care of us and the community,” Singletary said.
The store will be available to rent for personal events and meetings, while future plans include opening a café, adding another book club to the roster and starting an open mic series. The owners are open to hosting whatever events will resonate with their customers and the neighborhood, they said.
“There is no limit to the kind of programming we’re going to bring into this space — art, literacy, wellness, cultural moments, a straight up barbecue for the community,” Turner said. “That is really where we are. That’s what we love about [the space].”
Get a free print!
Help us reach our goal of 900 subscribers by Dec. 31 to sustain and expand our coverage and you’ll get a free neighborhood print. There are three ways to qualify: Purchase a new subscription, upgrade your current subscription or gift a subscription. Don’t wait — support Block Club and we’ll send you a print of your choice!
Listen to the Block Club Chicago podcast: