Bonjour Books DC, the DC Metro Area's First French-Language Bookstore, Announces Grand Opening Celebration for June 8, 2019

KENSINGTON, Md. - June 4, 2019 - PRLog -- Bonjour Books DC, the first French-language bookstore in the Washington, DC area, announced their official opening celebration for Saturday, June 8 2019.

The 200-square foot shop is located at 3758 Howard Avenue along Antiques Row in Kensington, MD and offers 1500 new and used French-language titles for all ages, from prominent Francophone authors like Patrick Modiano and Leila Slimani to favorites like Harry Potter and Michelle Obama's "Becoming" in French translation. The bookstore also carries French-language magazines and newspapers including  Paris Match, L'Express, Le Monde Diplomatique and Jeune Afrique.  The store has been in business as a pop-up since 2014, operating out of the back room of a neighborhood shop since 2014. They opened doors to their new, independent location on April 2.

Bonjour Books DC aims to be a community hub for Francophones and Francophiles, providing a place to browse and purchase French-language materials for every budget: both new and used books are available for sale. The store also plans to offer storytimes, book clubs, and classes in French.  Author signings in collaboration with the French Embassy's cultural services and other organizations are also planned. On June 23 Bonjour Books DC will host French Comic book author, Karim Friha, in partnership with the French Comic Association.

The store also welcomes non-French speakers, offering unique gifts and other merchandise as well as a small selection of books --  including classics like Asterix and Babar--translated into English.

Why French?

French is the fifth most spoken language in the world with over 300 million speakers on five continents. It is also the fifth most commonly spoken language in U.S. households, according to the most recent Census data. "There are thousands of French speakers from all over the Francophone world residing in our famously international, multilingual Washington DC area, and many more who are learning the language.  However, it is very difficult to find a broad selection of French-language resources for sale locally. We want to follow in the footsteps of the wonderful new independent bookstores in our area catering to diverse populations -- like Duende District (Spanish) -- by offering carefully curated resources and programming that reflect our diverse community of citizens and residents who are also French speakers!"  says Jennifer Fulton, owner.

Fulton is an American citizen, fluent French speaker and resident of Kensington, MD. She inherited a passion for French from both her maternal aunt, a longtime Paris resident, and her father, who lived and worked in France.  Fulton earned a B.A. from American University School of International Service and subsequently held positions in international sales and marketing for information technology companies. She started looking for French books when her son was born in 2008 and not finding them, began importing them herself. She started selling in local markets and schools and beginning in 2014 started a part-time pop-up inside the Kensington Row Bookshop. On the opening of the new location, the bookstore is a full-time operation with a staff of two.

Denis Chazelle, French American Chamber of Commerce DC Executive Director commented,  "We are thrilled that at the opening of our member, Bonjour Books DC. This unique destination will benefit anyone seeking French resources and connections in the DC area."

The Grand Opening will kick off at 10:00am with a  ribbon cutting ceremony hosted by the French-American Chamber of Commerce. Then at 11am Kensington resident and French author Carole Geneix will present and sign her murder mystery novel, "La Mille et Deuxième Nuit". At 2pm teacher and entertainer Achille Ango will perform French music for children.  A promotion of 10% off entire purchase and gift with purchase is offered all day Saturday June, 8 and Sunday June 9. Store hours are Tuesday through Saturday 10-5pm and Sunday 12-5pm.