Kansas City's Neighborhood Bookstore
Since 1997
bookstore outside
bookstore outside
Our Story (so far)
Anchoring the midtown shopping district known as "Restaurant Row," Prospero's Books Books offers shoppers over 45,000 gently used book titles touching more than 80 categories. Be it the history buff, the mystery fan or the youngest member of your party, there is always a gem to to be discovered. From Dr. Seuss to Dr. Gonzo, Prospero's inventory includes books and much, much more - movies (VHS & DVD), music (Vinyl & CD), as well as organic coffee by the pound. Primarily a purveyor of gently used books, music and videos, Prospero's carries new titles from the finest regional writers and musicians.
With over 20 indy and ethnic restaurants just a stroll a way, a visit to Prospero's is a great way to spend a the time before or after breakfast, lunch or dinner. Prospero's is open seven days a week and open late Monday through Saturday. On Fridays and Saturdays, one can often find the lights on past midnight.
Prospero’s Books opened its doors on November 19, 1997 - coinciding with the 78th anniversary of Sylvia Beach opening the Left Bank Shakespeare and Company in Paris. In 2002, Prospero’s moved and expanded, crossing 39th Street from its original location. During the renovation, the retail space and building was vastly restored and modernized, including a dramatic 4.5 foot curved staircase to the basement and reopening all the original windows.
Prospero's Bookstore
Prospero's currently fills two floors of the historic, 120-year-old Johnson Hardware building. Its design seamlessly melds a sense of late 1800s wild-wild west with a modern urban chic. Nowhere else in town can the sight-seer find classic bookstore fare like rolling library ladders and a beautifully restored turn-of-the-century pressed tin ceiling. It is anticipated that renovation of its 3rd floor will be completed in 2009.
Prospero's offers so much more than the homogenized sterility of the big box stores. Regulars are greeted by name, and staff often sets aside items of interest for those whose taste are familiar. Co-owner, Tom Wayne's 2007 performance art piece Book Burning, gained national and international headlines (thanks CNN and Stephen Colbert), Prospero's t-shirts and merchandise have become a fun way for travelers from across the country to pick up a literary souvenir.
There is always a good conversation about politics, art, and current events. As Shakespeare & Company became home to writers and artists (Hemingway, Picasso, etc.), Prospero’s has become home to one of Kansas City’s most vital artistic communities - making an unparallelled contribution to KC’s growing reputation as an alt-Americana arts center. Prospero's is also home to the national weekly blogcast Write the Future which features interviews and performances from regional and national literary and musical talent.
Prospero's offers a full schedule of special events. Be sure to check the calendar for weekly readings, live music performances, film showings and art openings.
In 2002, a sister business, Spartan Press, began publishing the poets and writers who call Prospero's home. Two of its eleven titles have won national recognition: Martha McCarty's poignant memoir, Five Island Diaries: stories of love, lost and found, won the 2008 Thorpe Menn Award, and Grammy award-winner Connie Dover's book of verse, Winter County, brought home The Loft's coveted Speakeasy Prize for Poetry.
Two of a Kind
Adding just a little
waiting for his ship to come in...
W.E. (Will) Leathem
Leathem is a poet and writer. Founder and co-owner of Prospero's Books, he has helped establish one of the most vibrant and eclectic artistic scenes anywhere. Publisher of the award-winning house Spartan Press, Leathem has published 26 chapbooks of poetry, 9 books of poetry, essays and memoirs. Leavened911 - a collection of essays touching on the impact of September 11 on one middle-American community was released. He currently serves as Director of the literary arts nonprofit, Write the Future where he produces WFT its weekly blog-radio program, and publishes monthly WTF - an American Alternative.
In 2007 & 2008, Leathem helped organize the first Kansas City Literary Festival on the Country Club Plaza - an event that drew national writers and attracted more than 20,000 attendees. Featured in an award-winning documentary, The Pit Poet Picture Show, Leathem MC'd The Pit, the raucus house reading at Prospero's for over 10 years. Hosting Up Close & Personal - a weekly live music performance presenting over 700 shows to date - Leathem also helped found the 39th Street Art Walk.
Leathem's poems, essays and short fiction have appeared in: The Kansas City Star, NPR, The Alternative American, Thorny Locust, The Same and The Midwest Poetry Review. His first book of poetry is Terra. In 2000, Leathem stepped away from a 15-year career in national and state politics that had culminated in his appointment as Missouri State Director of Elections in 2000. He is married to the artist and writer, Kara Werner. They live in midtown Kansas City with their young man, Riley.
Tom Wayne - a burning passion for books
Tom Wayne
From digging ditches to selling office buildings from framing houses to cook and waiter from dealer of esoterica and other mind food, Wayne joined Prospero's in 1999, when the other original founder, John Condra, left.
Using his experience as a commercial real estate agent in the 80's (when he brokered over $20 million), Tom arranged the purchase of Prospero's current building. He personally gutted and renovated the former 1890 grocery that had turned into a hardware store in 1912. I took him nearly six months to remove, clean and repair the 20th century. Prospero's is now a funky intersection of urban artist chic and bookstore-as-canvas, an evolving terrarium of a new, outspoken cultural phenomena.
In 2007, Wayne was the mastermind behind the performance art piece Book Burning. The event earned international media attention including over 600 print stories, 40,000 blogs, dozens of radio appearances, CNN Headline News and a shout out from Stephen Colbert. CNN.
Wayne lives two blocks from the store with Amy Giblin, who was instrumental in helping the Prospero's vision to flower.
Wayne's first book Harsh Glare Carnival will be released in 2009. He scribbles madly when time and materials and muse allow.