A Bookstore with Identity: Cultivating the Cultural Hub of I AM Books and IDEA Boston
By Jessica A. Kent
Oct. 29, 2018
The North End is one of Boston’s oldest neighborhoods. It’s where the Old North Church sits, where Paul Revere once lived, and where Ben Franklin once apprenticed, yet even with the Freedom Trail winding through its narrow sidewalks, it is now considered the city’s destination for all things Italian. Over 150 restaurants are packed into this neighborhood, weekend festivals fill the streets, the smell of anise cookies and freshly baked bread fill the air, and Italian is still spoken in the shops. It was into the midst of this vibrant culture that I AM Books opened its doors in October 2015. Located across the street from the Paul Revere House and just steps from beautiful North Square, I AM Books may have a small footprint, but it has a substantial offering. Inside its doors customers find a long exposed-brick space filled with books by Italian-American writers (don’t fear; except for the shelves with the Italian language books, most selections are in English), cookbooks, Italian history and travel books, staff recommendations, a kids section, gifts, and more. It can also be converted into an event space. Since its opening, I AM Books has become more than just a bookstore; as the only Italian-American bookstore in the country, it has become a cultural hub for the community, and is launching the inaugural IDEA Boston festival this weekend, on November 2 and 3.
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