The Strand Bookstore’s Upper West Side location at 2020 Broadway (between 69th and 70th Streets) is giving neighbors a new reason to visit: the opening of Cafe Fred, the first ever Strand-run cafe, and a highly anticipated addition to the store.
The Strand embraces the mission of independent bookselling and serving as a community hub. The opening of Cafe Fred, equipped with window seating and a wide array of delectable bites and beverages, will bolster the Strand’s role as a community gathering place. “Every day we become more invested in and responsive to our customers and readers who are our eternal partners in this business of books,” says Kat Pongrace, a representative for The Strand. The spirit of community is embedded in the cafe’s name; Nancy Bass Wyden, the third generation owner of The Strand, named the cafe after her father, Fred Bass. As Pongrace notes, “all of [The Strand’s] business decisions are as personal as they are practical,” an ethos that has shown through in the bookseller’s commitment to the greater Lincoln Square neighborhood.
Cafe Fred is bathed in natural light, making it a perfect spot to grab a coffee, sample a pastry, and read by the giant windows. It’s a great place to meet up with friends or spend time alone with a good book. One of the unique features of the cafe is its book-inspired drink specials, which are on display next to the register. “We’re so proud to be able to make the literary cafe menu of our dreams at Cafe Fred with drinks inspired by some of our favorite reads,” Pongrace says. The cafe offers a wide array of pastries from local vendors including Leaven & Co and Colson Patisserie, an extensive La Colombe coffee menu, and grab & go sandwiches from Artisan.
The Strand is open Monday to Saturday 9:00am to 8:00pm and on Sundays from 10:00am to 7:00pm, and Cafe Fred is open Monday through Saturday from 9:00am to 5:00pm and Sundays from 10:00am to 5:00pm. If you’re a dog lover, you’ll be happy to know that both the bookstore and the cafe are dog-friendly. Stop by to see what all the buzz is about – and get your caffeine buzz while you’re at it!
In further exciting news, on Saturday, September 27th The Strand is celebrating 98 years as an independent bookseller. They will be having an in-store sale, giveaways, balloons, and activities at all of their locations. Keep up with The Strand on social media to stay tuned for more announcements about what they’re cooking up.
