Food Court Books

For six years, we (Jackson Nieuwland and Carolyn DeCarlo) have been organizing poetry readings in the Wellington region as Food Court. These readings have been designed to feature emerging and marginalised writers in the literary community here in Aotearoa, but we have a plan to expand our efforts. We are opening a bookshop in Newtown, Wellington that highlights independent publishers and small presses, with a particular interest in New Zealand-based creators.

Not only will this shop focus on NZ-owned small presses, but on NZ-made chapbooks and zines, giving local writers and makers a platform to showcase and sell their work. With space for writers to come and use desk space, and a layout conducive to readings, book launches, lectures, and workshops, Food Court Books will be a hub for creativity in Wellington.

By focusing attention on the creative arts in Newtown specifically, we hope to centre our shop on local writers and serve the needs of our local community. We will continue to strive to reach out and listen to the people of Newtown as the shop grows, to provide services that suit their individual requests.

The funds raised on Boosted will go to the initial fit-out of the space, to pay for things like signage, paint, furnishings, and an opening event. These costs add up, and we want to be able to focus our efforts on providing a generous range of books for everyone to enjoy!

Thank you so much in advance, 

From Carolyn and Jackson.