13803 Puritan was once an abandoned building. Vacant for over 25 years, it sat overlooked and forgotten.

In June 2024, that changed.

Purchased by Jerjuan Howard, a native son of the neighborhood, the building was reimagined as something more than a business. It became a vision for a community bookstore rooted in purpose.

For Jerjuan, this was personal. He grew up just blocks away and walked past this building every day on his way home from middle school. Where others saw decay, he saw possibility.

Built by Community

The Howard Family Bookstore was not built alone.

It was developed through a community effort grounded in self-determination. Family, friends, and neighbors came together to bring the space to life. They painted, installed flooring, hung drywall, and helped transform what once stood empty.

People like Aaron Thomas gave their time, energy, and skill because they believed in what this space could become. Their contributions live within these walls.

A Continuation of the Work

This project builds on a larger vision.

In 2022, Umoja Debate League transformed nearby vacant lots into Umoja Village, a vibrant community space for youth, art, and programming. The bookstore is the next chapter in that same story of community-led development.

Why This Matters

Within a 1.5 mile radius, there are five K–12 schools. Hundreds of young people pass through this area every day.

The Howard Family Bookstore exists to ensure they have a space for literacy, imagination, and growth. A place that reflects them and invests in who they can become.

More Than a Bookstore

This is not just a business. It is a movement.

It represents the belief that the solutions to our community’s challenges already exist within us. It stands at the intersection of youth development, community care, and self-determination.

This space was created to rewrite the narrative.
To turn vacancy into vision.
To invest in the place that raised us.

Opening April 25

The Howard Family Bookstore will officially open its doors on April 25, marking the beginning of a new chapter for this building and for the community it serves.

Rooted in Detroit, but reflective of a larger belief that communities everywhere have the power to rebuild themselves.