Riffraff, a Bookstore Bar, to Open in Providence, R.I.

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

In November, Tom Roberge and Emma Ramadan, both of whom have backgrounds in the book world, plan to open Riffraff, a bookstore and bar in Providence, R.I.Riffraff will have 1,500 square feet of space split 60/40 between bookstore and bar, stock 7,000-8,000 titles and offer a selection of specialty drinks that "play with the familiar classics," as Roberge put it. The bookstore's emphasis will be on literary fiction, crime, the social sciences, poetry, art and graphic novels. Riffraff will also have a small children's section.

Tom Roberge and Emma Ramadan

Roberge and Ramadan have signed a lease on space at 215 Dean Street in the West Side neighborhood of Providence and will begin the buildout in August. Like Greenlight Bookstore in Brooklyn, N.Y., they are setting up a community lending program to help finance the establishment of the store. On their website, they note that they have raised about 75% of their startup costs but need to raise another $50,000. "We are seeking loans of a thousand dollars and up from those in the Providence community, and beyond, who believe in bringing this kind of space to Providence's West Side, who value the role culture plays in a community, and who understand the importance of independent, locally-owned businesses to the vibrancy of a city." Return rates on the loans will be between 2.5% and 4%, compounded annually, and all lenders will receive a 30% employee discount on books.
Roberge has worked as a bookseller at McNally Jackson bookstore in New York City, managing editor at A Public Space, editor at Penguin Books, publicist and bookstore liaison at New Directions, and deputy director at Albertine Books in New York City.
Ramadan studied comparative literature at Brown University (in Providence), completed a master's degree in translation at the American University of Paris and was a Fulbright Scholar in Morocco, where she translated the late poet Ahmed Bouanani from French into English. Her translations also include the genderless novel Sphinx by Anne Garréta.