Missed this last month but am thrilled to read that Washington's iconic Kramerbooks & Afterwords has a new owner, who has big plans for the combination bookstore and restaurant. The Washington Post reports that 33-year-old Steve Salis, co-founder of local chain &pizza, is taking over an 800-square-foot space next door, most recently inhabited by Willie T’s Lobster Shack, and creating a children’s book annex. He also plans to build a new coffee bar, add more events space and beef up the store’s lineup of cookbooks, history and nonfiction. I first visited the joint -- drunk and in need of a late-night meal -- while interning on Capitol Hill in early 1989, then became a regular shopper while living in D.C. from 1993-1998. This place is wonderful and along with Three Lives & Co., ranks very high on my list of favorite bookstores. Here's wishing Mr. Salis much success.
