Busboys and Poets Opens in Hyattsville

The multitasking bookstore/bar/performance venue Busboys and Poets debuted its newest location Monday, this one in Hyattsville.

The spot will open at 4 p.m. each night this week -- but if you're more of a morning person, consider the free coffee and tours available from 7 to 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

The new venue showcases murals and art by local artists (the traditional Busboys decor) and two performance spaces, including a room named for late author/activist Howard Zinn.

Upcoming special events include an open-mic poetry night hosted by Love the Poet this Thursday at 9 p.m., and a reading and book signing by four Hyattsville authors (Julia Duin, David Levy, Richard Morris and William Loizeaux) next Thursday, July 28, at 6 p.m.

Regular hours haven't been announced yet, but should be available within the next couple of weeks, a release from the venue said.

The latest outpost is the first in Maryland. The original Busboys and Poets -- titled as a nod to "busboy poet" Langston Hughes -- opened at 14th and V streets N.W. in 2005. Since then, locations have opened at 5th and K streets N.W. and the Shirlington shopping center in Arlington, Va.

Proprietor Andy Shallal also owns another restaurant named for an author. Eatonville pays homage to one-time Howard University student Zora Neale Hurston.


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