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Riffraff was put up for sale over the summer after its previous owner moved to Switzerland.
Riffraff Bookstore and Bar finally has new owners.
On Monday, Lucas Mann, an associate professor of English and communications at UMass Dartmouth announced on X, formerly known as Twitter, that he and wife Ottavia De Luca had taken over the business.
“It is the most beautiful place in the world to find a great, weird book, grab a drink, and hang!,” he wrote.
New offerings will come to Riffraff Bookstore in Providence. Here’s what they are:
In an interview with The Providence Journal De Luca said customers shouldn’t anticipate any big changes — but enhancements.
“We’re going to keep a lot of things the same, but there are going to be some changes,” she said. “More additions than changes, I think. We’re planning on hosting more varied events, not just readings. We’re going to be featuring local artists on the walls.
The couple is also looking into hosting monthly or quarterly receptions for artists.
More: Want to own a bookstore bar? $250K buys it all at Riffraff in Providence
De Luca previously spent nine years running operations for Wine Brothers, a wine wholesaler and importer in Pawtucket, then worked at Eno Fine Wines, a shop in downtown Providence. With a background in wine, she plans to expand bar offerings to add more of it.
Expect to also see food come to Riffraff’s menu. Though there is no kitchen, customers may see items such as local baked goods and cheese boards.
Riffraff Bookstore and Bar went up for sale this summer
Previous owner Tom Roberge put the store up for sale in the summer after moving to Switzerland and finding it difficult to manage the business while being away.
He left a detailed message on the store’s website, hoping a local would swoop in and resume operations.
“I’m no longer touching almost every book that comes into the store,” Roberge wrote. “I’m no longer seeing the excitement on people’s faces when they buy particular books. No longer having conversations with any of you about books. No longer watching crowds file in for events, or catching up after.”
Riffraff was initially listed for $250,000 – an all-inclusive price that lumped in its entire inventory of books, computers, furniture, a liquor license and an espresso machine. According to Mann and De Luca, that was not the final selling price. However, the couple declined to disclose what they paid.
For the past month, Roberge has been helping Mann and De Luca learn the ropes of the business and has been sharing his advice.
In his social media posts on Monday, Mann appeared enthusiastic about his future as the store’s co-owner.
“We have loved this store since before it was open!,” he said of himself and De Luca. “We held our baby shower there! We spent the pandemic in the courtyard! Our kid has kind of grown up in this space! The books are amazing! The community is amazing! We love it so much! We feel so lucky!”
Mann told the Journal that he has no intent to change “the core of Riffraff,” and understands how important it is to the community.
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