RALEIGH, NC (January 12, 2017) – The Downtown Raleigh Alliance (DRA), on behalf of Christine Brenner, is excited to announce a new children’s bookstore, Read With Me, coming to 111 E. Hargett Street, Suite #110, in between Briggs Hardware and Arrow Haircuts, less than one block from Marbles Kids Museum.
As a former teacher and school librarian, Brenner, the store’s owner, saw a need “for a place in downtown for families to experience together.” She says Read With Me will be a place for everyone to share their love of children’s books.
“I was fortunate to have teachers that inspired me and also to have a family that valued reading and always made sure I had access to books,” Brenner says.
The name of the store, Read With Me, showcases the importance of literacy for a child’s academic success and the role that a family plays in that growth.
“We are all well aware of the importance of literacy for a child’s academic success. Our name, Read With Me, highlights the No. 1 way to encourage your child to value reading: by reading ‘with’ rather than ‘to’ your child. Reading should be a shared, engaging experience between adult and child that is an open interaction of sharing thoughts and asking questions,” explains Brenner.
Read With Me will also hold writing workshops, book clubs, and illustration classes. The store also plans to participate in DRA’s First Friday Art Gallery Walk and exhibit illustrators.
Brenner plays to open Read With Me in March. An IndieGoGo campaign will go live on Monday to help raise necessary start-up funds and gather community support.
Read With Me is one of nearly 20 new businesses— including six retailers— that are expected to open in downtown Raleigh in 2017.
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About Downtown Raleigh Alliance (DRA):
DRA is an award-winning nonprofit organization whose mission is to continue the revitalization of Raleigh’s downtown. The Alliance enhances the quality of life and positively impacts the economic success of downtown through six core services: 1. Safety and Hospitality Ambassadors; 2. Strategic Branding & Community Communications; 3. Events Production; 4. Retail Attraction & Merchant Promotions; 5. Strategic Partnerships & Stakeholder Engagement; and 6. Strategic Planning. For more information about DRA, please visit www.YouRHere.com.