Robin Theatre expands with a new bookstore

The Robin Theatre in REO Town just got a lot more interesting. Not that it wasn’t interesting before — having hosted more than 500 events since opening in 2015. 

Dylan Rogers and his partner, Jeana-Dee Allen, have transformed a funky old building in REO Town into a residence and an intimate vaudeville-style performance site. Now they are adding a bookstore.

Rogers said the space will have a double life.

“It will be disguised as a bookstore during the day and when the sun goes down, the curtain will continue to rise — welcoming poets, musicians and theatrical presentations,” Rogers said.

Rogers said the bookstore, which will be called Robin Books, started with a trip to Bogota, Colombia, where he ran across what he calls “a magical bookstore,” with floor-to-ceiling stacks and piles of old books.

“That’s where the germ of an idea began, but it probably started with me being a reader and not wanting a boss,” Rogers said. 

The bookstore will feature a general stock, including mysteries, thrillers, literary fiction, plays and non-fiction. Also coming to the bookstore’s shelves are Rogers’ favorite genres of mythology, folklore, science fiction and fantasy. The stock will be rotated monthly.

The most recent books he’s read cover Chinese mythology and life in the Middle Ages for women.

Rogers said when he started thinking of opening a bookstore, he consulted his friend and serial entrepreneur, Sally Potter.

“She gave me inspiration,” he said.

During last winter, Rogers said he spent his time building bookcases, which are pushed against the wall to maintain seating for the theater. During that time, Jenn Carpenter opened another bookstore, Deadtime Stories in REO Town, which features true crime titles that Rogers said will be compatible with his bookstore

Rogers said initially that Robin Books’ hours will be posted on its website, therobinbooks.com, and on its Instagram account, @therobinbooks.

“I will be working to establish consistent hours, and I want to build something that is charming, interesting and valuable to the community,” he said.

Rogers also said he will begin working with local authors to do author readings and signings. “One thing I know is I’m going to do cool shit,” he said.

Rogers said he is “so unqualified to do this.” That naivete may work in his favor, as he selects a broad variety of used books to sell. He said one thing he has going for him is he went through a similar process when he and Allen opened the theater.

“I’m doing it all over again,” he said. 

Rogers said his experience with opening Robin Theatre has helped his psyche.

“I’m not about sitting around bitching — I say do it yourself,” he said.

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