Grandma Dawn Reassess Her Shop's Purpose in COVID Times
By: Emma Seiwell
10-20-20
“In 21 years I haven’t made any money,” said Dawn Harris-Martine, owner of the children’s bookstore, Grandma’s Place. “People say, ‘well why are you doing this?’ Because it’s a passion and it’s needed in the community.” The 81-year-old retired school teacher, better known in Harlem as “Grandma Dawn” has used her teaching experience to aid parents in their crucial role within their children’s education for more than two decades.
Located at 84 West 120th St. on a quiet brownstone-lined block, Grandma’s Place is known as the last of it’s kind in Harlem. With the shop’s colorful storefront, the cloud-painted ceiling, endless books and Grandma Dawn’s warm, inviting presence, it exists as the neighborhood bookstore everyone wishes they had growing up.
“I want my store and what it stands for to live on and be a beacon in the community for parents and children.” Harris-Martine said. “All people are human beings and should be treated equally. That’s what it’s about. That black children should have equal education.”
When Harris-Martine bought the property next door to her brownstone in 1999, she opened it as a literacy center. A second-grade teacher at the time, Harris-Martine noticed how the illiteracy of many of her students’ parents was hindering their ability to support their children’s learning.
“I tried to think of something the community needed, so that’s how that came to be.” Harris-Martine said. Students ages varied, but Harris-Martine primarily taught adults that wanted to learn English in the evenings.
In 2004, when her landlord doubled the rent,it was no longer possible for her to operate the center as a nonprofit. So she began selling books and the literacy center turned into a children’s book store and toy shop. In recent times, she primarily sold multicultural toys, dolls, games and some books. That was until March.
“I knew we were in trouble.” Harris-Martine said regarding the widespread shift to online learning. She recognized children are relying on their parents' educational support now more than ever.
Because of COVID-19 restrictions, the shop remained closed from March through July. However this gave Harris-Martine time to alter her shop’s inventory with the community’s new educational conflicts in mind.
She went to a major children’s publisher carrying curriculum workbooks, individual workbooks, flashcards and other learning resources. “I looked at their material through the eye of a parent. It had to be simple enough for them to help their children with.” she said.
After hand-picking each individual book, Harris-Martine stocked the shop with grade level specific curriculum workbooks for pre-K to eighth grade students. “The whole focus of the store has changed.” she said.
Though Grandma’s Place’s overall sales have been cut in half, Harris-Martine said adjustments have proven to be well-calculated. Roughly 20 percent of sales in the past months have been parents purchasing their children curriculum books to supplement for the lesser quality of online schooling.
“It takes the extraordinary child and the extraordinary parent,” Harris-Martine said. “And for me to turn on that light in the parent to help the child and to see what’s out there and what their child can accomplish.”
Harris-Martine hasn’t stopped at reimagining her store’s inventory. With the help of her shop staff she is currently recording a series of podcasts. She will be reading stories for her young audience and sharing her carefully curated book recommendations with families. She is also organizing roundtable discussions among herself and other retired teachers to address parent’s concerns with online learning.
Harris-Martine, who has lived on Lenox Avenue in Harlem in different buildings her entire life, knows what her community needs, and has stepped in to fill these gaps.
