The historic English-language bookstore Shakespeare and Company in Paris will soon also become home to an adjacent cafe for bibliophiles, run by a native New Yorker who introduced Parisians to cleansing juices and smoothies.
Beginning next month, visitors to the popular tourist spot, once the intellectual stomping grounds of expat American writers such as Henry Miller, Allen Ginsberg and William S. Burroughs, will be able to take their book purchase and read it at the bookstore’s cafe next door.
And in the longstanding tradition of attracting influential American expats living in Paris, the bookstore cafe will be run by New Yorker Marc Grossman, better known to Parisians as the founder of Bob’s Food.
Grossman is an American success story, credited with bringing the juice and smoothie craze to Paris a few years ago. His organic juice bars and cafes attract long queues of health-conscious Parisians, stylistas, artists and hipsters for their vegetarian organic fare, freshly pressed juices and gluten-free menu.
When it opens in October, the cafe will join the historic landmark on the Left Bank, across from the Notre-Dame cathedral, and be open every day from 9am to 9pm.
According to local food blog Paris by Mouth, the cafe will serve locally roasted Cafe Lomi beans, bagel sandwiches, organic juices, vegan and gluten-free fare.
Afternoon tea will be served with finger sandwiches, scones with cream and sourdough crumpets.
The cafe will also host bookshop events such as signings, readings, and caffeine-fuelled morning writing sessions for novelists and poets.
