A spooky take on the bookstore-cafe concept is heading to Williamsburg this fall. Horror-focused bookstore The Twisted Spine will be opening in a 1,200-square-foot space at 306 Grand Street in September, co-owner Lauren Komer told What Now New York.
Komer first became interested in the horror genre after she moved to New York City to pursue a PhD in neuroscience. She began listening to horror podcasts and then started to explore the city for new ways to immerse herself in the genre.
“I was really shocked to find out that New York didn’t have a horror-specific bookstore,” Komer said. “I was looking to get more into the genre and I was really surprised there wasn’t one already here.”
Even as she graduated with her PhD and launched into her career at the National Institute of Health (NIH), the idea of a bookstore centered solely around the horror genre grew in Komer’s mind. In September 2024, she and her partner Jason decided to make her idea a reality. Since then, The Twisted Spine has been operating as a pop-up throughout the city, participating in events like the Brooklyn Book Festival and doing collaborative events with the Brooklyn Horror Society.
“We were overwhelmed in the best way by the community response,” Komer said. “People were super excited.”
Initially, Komer did not plan to open a brick-and-mortar location until 2028. However, she and Jason decided to fast-track their plans after Komer lost her job at the NIH amid DOGE cuts.
“I did a lot of soul-searching and I realized that in a climate where there’s so much uncertainty and real-life fear, having a safe space for us to combat fear and have resilience is important now more than ever,” Komer said.
They inked a lease on May 1 and recently launched a kickstarter to help cover upfront costs.
The Twisted Spine will have a dark academia aesthetic that Komer describes as “gothic but cozy.” It will hold 5,000 books and will feature a full espresso bar, as well as beer and wine at night. There will be a small bar with eight to 10 stools, as well as seating positioned throughout the space.
Komer’s goal is to make the space comforting more so than scary.
“We keep the scary things inside the books,” she said.
There will also be a rear patio — dubbed the “backyard graveyard” — that will also feature tombstones with the names of kickstarter contributors.
Komer is planning to host a variety of events at The Twisted Spine, including author events and movie nights. She hopes that it will become a gathering place for the community.
“It’s a void that the horror community has been looking for,” Komer said. “We really want to be a haven for horror. Now more than ever, it’s important to have community spaces where we can all come together. I think having a place where people can feel safe and respected no matter their background, and can have a place to breathe and build up resilience against real-life horrors — that’s what we’re all about.”
The kickstarter will run through July 11. In addition to receiving a tombstone on the rear patio, contributors will get additional perks like an exclusive short story by author Victor LaValle.
