What's Popped Up In The Old Peet's In Coolidge Corner

BROOKLINE MA — If you've been wondering what's happening to the empty space at the corner of Harvard and Green streets in Coolidge Corner, this weekend the answer arrived: The spot that was formerly home to a bank and then Peet's Coffee is now home to a bunch of books.

But not just any books: You'll notice this is a Booksmith "bargain book wonderland." The Brookline Booksmith, just two doors down is popping up in the space for the holiday season. A pop-up retail store is one that opens temporarily, often to test out a new concept, or take advantage of a seasonal demand. In this case, it's a bit of both. The the section of books marked with heavy discounts usually around the front of the store moved into its own space Friday night, complete with a champagne celebration and some smokey jazz music.

"We've always wanted to do a pop up and have a bookstore, wine bar or a cafe - and that space is absolutely gorgeous," said Lisa Gozashti, who is a co-owner and manager of the Booksmith.

Staff had been eyeing that space, which has sat empty since last January.

"It was just this haunted ghost of a space that didn't match our feelings of what represents this neighborhood," said Gozashti.

The Booksmith approached the landlord with the idea and got the green light to rent the space for six weeks. Then, 40 plus employees scrambled to paint and decorate the space, bringing in the discounted books and developing an idea of what the space could be for the season.

"We decided to pour our heart into it for basically six weeks, partly as a joyful celebration of Coolidge Corner," said Gozashti.

The vision is to host several pop up events within the bargain book pop up wonderland. Although the Booksmith has a large space already, it's nice to have extra space to do even more, she said, complete with complementary gift wrapping, cookies and infused water.

Watch for Pop up events, like Friday night champagne and music and open mic nights. Next Thursday, they're hosting a local fashion designer from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. There's a plan in the works for story telling nights and times for folks who are working on their own books to come share their work. There could even be a New Years Eve celebration, said Gozashti. And they are open to suggestions, too.

Making the space and events available to the wider community as much as possible is important to the vision, said Gozashti.

"It's been incredibly magical," she said, describing Friday night's event, which was accompanied by live smoky jazz music and complementary treats. "It felt like we were in Paris, or this cool, unusual place."

The Booksmith has been around since 1961 with the slogan “Dedicated to the fine art of browsing.” It continues to keep that mission and a desire to inspire and share ways everyone can be and is impacted by the artists and thinkers around the world. But this it's first - non school related - pop up.

Why only six weeks?

"It's possible you'll see us in some other configuration in the future," said Gozashti, but not necessarily this space she said, as she was told it was spoken for.

The short life of this program is also part of its charm. It comes with a special vibe and art that is meant to inspire and bring cheer, she said.

"It's really sweet and sweet to see customers in the space, and how space impacts people. It's a different feeling, it's more concentrated and more expansive at the same time," she said. "I think it will open the way for us to think differently about what we do."

When it comes to more pop-ups in the future?

"Anything is possible," the co-owner told Patch. "But for now, the next six weeks this is going to be our most elegant and heartful and deep thing that we've ever, ever done."

Previously on Patch:

Peet's Coffee To Close In Coolidge Corner | Brookline, MA Patch

Patch reporter Jenna Fisher can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna).