Pop-Up Party to Celebrate Wynwood's New Books & Bikes Pop-Up Shop

Leave it to Mitchell Kaplan, the godfather of Miami's bookselling scene, to keep bringing literary innovation to South Florida more than three decades after opening his first store. 

Kaplan's newest venture — a books-meets-bikes-meets-art shop — has popped up in Miami's most colorfully dressed neighborhood, Wynwood. The concept, which sits at 2602 NW Fifth Ave., is a partnership between Books & Books, No Boundaries (an independent bike shop in Coral Gables), and Lebo, one of Miami's most acclaimed muralists. And its free-for-all grand opening party kicks off Tuesday, June 28, at 6:30 p.m.

There'll be beer samples, book readings, tunes, and more, and the event is open to the public, so everyone can get a look at the sleek new space — and hopefully head home with some unique merchandise.

"I thought it would be really, really cool to have a bike shop and bookstore," Kaplan says of the new space. "We're very close to the people from No Boundaries because they're across from us in Coral Gables."

As far as the artwork element: "There's such wonderful graffiti in Wynwood and I've always been impressed by Lebo so I approached him about joining us."
Lebo painted the art on the outside of the building and sells his work at a mini-gallery inside. It's on display alongside a wide array of bikes plus an eclectic selection of reading material. "I wanted to have something different from our other stores, so we're carrying off-price books," says Kaplan. The store also stocks vintage vinyl. 

"Down the road, I may carry vintage typewriters," he adds. "And maybe some vintage cameras. Nico [Stasi, owner of No Boundaries] has a wide selection of bikes. He also has running gear and sneakers and that kind of stuff too."

The eclectic shop should be around for at least a year, says Kaplan. The party, however, is one night only. And in Kaplan's words: "It's going to be a lot of fun." 

The party runs from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Books + Books + Bikes + Lebo, 2602 NW Fifth Ave., Miami. It's free and open to the public with RSVP.