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Community Rallying To Save Wild Fig Books

Mary Meehan

A Lexington group is intent on saving Kentucky’s only Black-owned bookstore, Wild Fig.

Organizer April Taylor said  the goal is to raise $25,000 to keep the store open. She said it will become a workers' cooperative where employees have a financial stake in the business and in business decisions.

The current owners, artist Ronald Davis and author Crystal Wilkinson, announced the closing a few weeks ago.

The North Limestone neighborhood where Wild Fig is located has seen changes in the last few years. Taylor said new development and gentrification has forced out some traditional businesses and residents.

She said the book store and coffee shop serves a vital function within the community.

“Wild Fig provides a space where established where residents and new residents of all different types and backgrounds can come and feel welcome and feel the community that they all believe in.

 Wild Fig opened in 2011 and moved to the current location in 2015.

Through an online fund raising campaign about $3,000 has been raised as of  late Wednesday afternoon. 

 

 

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