While Robert Cobb might be best-known as the former proprietor of the infamous Cobb's Corner Bar on Cass at Willis, he still owns the building that now houses the Spiral Collective, Avalon International Breads, Flo and Goodwells -- the cornerstone of what is now being called West Willis Village. When he recently added the building at 4160 Woodward at Willis -- formerly the C-Pop Gallery -- to his holdings, he suggested that one of his longtime tenants,
Revolution Books, relocate there.
"Mr. Cobb offered us the basement space for considerably less (rent)," says Gary Gant, who manages the collectively run store. "It prevented us from having to close."
Revolution carries progressive and revolutionary books. It is part of a network of bookstores around the country that are all independently owned and operated, but subscribe to the tenets of the Revolutionary Communist Party. "There's a tremendous sentiment that something is wrong (in the world)," says Gant, who describes the goal of communism as "a world free of exploitation and opression." The shop hopes to foster that culture by not just selling books, but providing a safe space for dialogue and debate.
This is Revolution's fourth location since its founding in 1980, and all have been in the Midtown/Cass Coridor/Wayne State University neighborhood. "(The location) is intentional on our part," says Gant. "There's an artistic, interesting mix of people, so it's been a deliberate choice to stay in this area."
Revoution Books is currently operating on the ground floor of the building, but will be in its basement digs in time for Dec. 5 -- aka
Noel Night. From 6 to 9:30 p.m., the shop will host a "fully secular, resoundingly liberating" open house.
Front Page Deli
will open a location on the ground floor and will begin build-out
once Revolution is relocated; the second floor is still available.
Upcoming events also include two art shows -- Feb. 27 and Mar. 6 -- both of which are accepting submissions. By that time, Gant hopes that the store will have raised $5,000 in donations and secured some monthly pledges to keep the shop viable in the coming year.
Reach Revolution Books at 313-204-2906 or
[email protected]. Hours are Friday 3 to 8 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Source: Gary Gant, Revolution Books
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh
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