Once we made the move to our present address, 5015 Connecticut Avenue, we began to expand our range of books and departments, and eventually added more space. We expanded throughout the ’90s:
1993 – Inaugurated our coffeehouse to coincide with the inauguration of President Clinton.
1995 – Doubled our Connecticut Avenue space.
1998 – Constructed an addition to the rear of the store (where the travel section and Carla and Barbara’s offices are) and expanded our remainder room space.
In 1999, we were honored to be named Bookseller of the Year by Publishers Weekly magazine in recognition of the important role that Politics and Prose plays in the Washington community. In 2003 we expanded once more, moving into the room that now houses our fiction, poetry, drama, and literary criticism books. Downstairs we added more space for shipping and receiving, childrens, and the cafe.
By the 2000s we solidified our position as the place for author events. In 1999, we hosted nearly 250 writers. By 2004 we were presenting over 400 speakers each year. We are a center for the discussion of books, and from our event calendar to our book selection, we reflect the tastes of owners, staff, and customers.
“ Twenty-five years ago I was a young mom-to-be living on Connecticut Avenue. When I heard a bookstore was opening a few blocks away, I couldn’t believe my luck. I walked up to the store, and talked to the two women who were still unpacking and arranging books; the store had just opened. Little did I know that encounter would be the beginning of a long and special relationship. My first son was born four months later—I can always count on Carla and Barbara knowing his age! He visited the store in a stroller before he could talk, and my second son was able to enjoy the expansion of the children’s section. Our family continued coming to Politics and Prose despite moves to the suburbs. I feel like it is in our DNA and is part of our family’s lifecycle changes. My older son now has his own membership, and as my husband and I approach the empty nest years, we have begun attending more author events, a real treat for us.”
