After renovation, the bookstore reopened to the public on January 28th. It boasts a new bar, where they serve an assortment of coffees, as well as beer and wine. When we talked to an employee, we learned that they hope to sell liquor in the future as well. They also have a hidden book nook past the register open to the public. It’s a small but cozy spot furnished with tufted chairs, warm lighting, and beautiful posters. The downstairs area is also open to the public and has a completely different atmosphere from the rest of the store. Before the fire, it used to be used as storage. Now, it has the store’s collection of poetry and graphic novels, as well as an area not unlike a living room space. The furniture is brightly colored, with an assortment of throw pillows and blankets. Overall, every part of the store is an invitation for customer interaction and it creates a comfortable and inviting atmosphere.

Of course, such a space pulls the community together. Every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, Yu and Me holds bar nights, where customers can discuss books over a glass of beer or wine. They also hold a multitude of book launches and literary events with speakers coming in on a request basis. Currently, there are book launches, poetry workshops, meet and greets, book signings, and discussions/Q&A happening over the next couple of weeks, scheduled till late March. Of course, there will be even more to come. Yu and Me also has a book club, where they vote for a book of the month. Though it was a chance occurrence, our group is glad to have stumbled across such a small yet powerful part of the community: a small bookstore nestled between a dumpling spot and a laundromat.