Board president of the New Orleans Pride Center and designated as one of Gambit’s 40 under 40 in 2024, local activist Kyle DeVries is currently planning a concept called Lavender Cafe and Bookstore that will merge an expansive literary selection with a welcoming all-day cafe and social space. DeVries is currently scouting Downtown locations for the concept.
DeVries, who has spent over two decades working in community organizing and advocacy across the region, envisions a physical venue where reading, arts, food, and culture intersect to foster more fulfilled lives for local residents. The book inventory will heavily emphasize LGBTQ+-forward titles, regional southern authors, works by indigenous and Asian-Pacific Islander writers, and a heavily curated collection of cookbooks.
While independent bookstores have experienced a noticeable national resurgence, DeVries noted a distinct gap in local options explicitly prioritizing LGBTQ+-forward selections in a social setting.
“We’ll have a huge book inventory that’s going to be really the focus of the bookstore, but also, you know, food brings people together in a different way,” DeVries explained.
During daytime operating hours, the cafe will serve breakfast and lunch featuring healthy comfort foods, alongside a specialty pour-over coffee program highlighting regional roasters and house-made syrups. In the evenings, the cafe will transition into an intimate tapas and mocktail bar hosting author readings, book clubs, and cultural events.
While actively searching for the ideal commercial real estate space, Lavender Cafe and Bookstore is currently operating through frequent pop-up events at local arts venues. DeVries anticipates securing a permanent home by this winter or following the conclusion of the Mardi Gras season. Neighborhoods currently under consideration for the permanent brick-and-mortar storefront include the Marigny, Treme, Bywater, and Mid-City.
“The focus will also be on bringing the community together and providing a space for the community to find joy and connection,” DeVries said.
