It’s a new chapter in KC history. Turnsol Books & Coffee, the city’s first worker-owned bookstore, is hosting a soft opening this weekend, Friday, Oct. 20-Sunday, Oct. 22, at 1664 Broadway Blvd., KCMO.

Its selections include the classics alongside stories highlighting groups like LGBTQ+, Black, Indigenous, and more people of color (BIPOC).

Editor Charmaine popped in during its preview night and purchased “The Fire Next Time” by James Baldwin, plus “Frankenstein” with a Barbie-like cover. (BTW, Frankenstein is Turnsol Books’ current book club read.)

If Mary Shelley was a Barbie girl. | Photo by KCtoday

But how does a workplace work where everyone is the boss? Good ol’ fashion democracy.

“We all have equal ownership and equal decision-making ability. And decisions are made by voting. We [also] break things off into committees and give people responsibilities," worker-owner Olive Cook told us.

That includes divvying up profits.

Turning over a new page in KC history. | Photo by KCtoday

The group is still waiting for permits to open the cafe portion. Follow Turnsol Books & Coffee to stay up-to-date on its progress.