October 29, 2004
Battleground bookstore
Our home in Northeast Ohio is a cozy little bookshop in Cleveland Heights run by Suzanne DeGaetano. Mac's Backs, has been in operation for more than 25 years. It's a staple of the Coventry community. "It used to be an old Jewish neighborhood, and then it became a hippy enclave," says DeGaetano. "And now, the hippies are parents and grandparents, actually, so it's really become a family place."
Coventry is also the stomping grounds of Harvey Pekar.
Next door to Mac's Backs is Tommy's, a family-friendly vegetarian restaurant that makes the best milkshakes (and breakfasts) in the region. The bookstore and restaurant have a common entryway inside.
Ohio is a battleground state in the election, and there is no doubt which way the Coventry neighborhood leans. Last week, the sidewalks were teeming with America Coming Together volunteers encouraging people to vote for Kerry, and High Tide Rock Bottom, a novelty shop, has an impressive collection of anti-Bush and pro-Kerry stickers, buttons and paraphernalia on display.
Mac's Backs is three stories of book-browsing heaven. It has the feel of being a place run and patronized by book lovers. And if you're interested in local poets and writers, just ask Suzanne. She has a wealth of knowledge about the local scene. We'll be publishing a longer article about her and Mac's Backs in our section on independent booksellers soon.
Posted by Bruce Rutledge at October 29, 2004 08:35 AM | TrackBack