“Bottom feeder”, that phrase that’s commonly associated with someone who is always trying to make money or someone who spends their time trying to take advantage of someone, and whether that be through deceit, harm, or both, only the parties can truly tell. And yet, this term “Bottom Feeder” takes on a new definition, a new terminology, and a new way of being with Ryan at the helm of this quaint bookstore located in Point Breeze. With his intentionality, careful curation of arts and literature, and his continued support of the artist community in Pittsburgh, this bookstore stands in stark contrast to its once negative associations.
Ryan, originally from Richmond, Virginia, found his home here with his long-time girlfriend in 2020, when things were bleak, when there were minimal to no contact with friends and family, with much less the opportunity to discover new connections and new friendships.
When talking about the birth of the store, its name and its contents of “primarily used books, with a selection of new titles, in art, film, theatre, poetry, [and] literature” and selections of postmodernism, Ryan acknowledged that this dream has been in the works for many, many years. Working in a bookstore in his hometown called Chop City Books, he was able to gain skills in appraisal and dive into the arts in a new way. His time spent in New York continued to further cultivate his interest in this world due to its accessibility to culture and the life of adventure.
“When we moved to Pittsburgh, it was a new city, a new thing. I didn't know anyone here, just a small group of people. So, when we moved here, I decided that it was time to start something new. A whole new life”, Ryan said when talking about opening the store in July of 2022. A process of preparation, of finding a storefront, finding books to fill it, and money to sustain it.
His courage and venture into owning a bookstore that primarily focuses its attention on the arts through a papered lens has been a new and welcome addition to the Pittsburgh arts ecosystem that we may not have known we needed.
The walls of this venue, from top to botto,m are covered with books from authors like James Baldwin, Peter Doi, and Nick Waplington, with genres ranging from art history, to science fiction, postmodernism, and simply recreated sketchbooks. This carefully curated arrangement of books ranges in price from $10-$300; anyone who walks through the doors of Bottom Feeder Books has the opportunity to engage with something new and deepen their relationship to something that they have already dedicated their life to.
Bottom Feeder Books is indeed a bookstore that holds space for other types of practices. From poetry readings, book signings, to gallery exhibitions in the back of the store, to film screenings, Ryan works to cultivate spaces where people feel welcome to be a part of. Although sometimes wrestling with the balance of it being a bookstore from an event space, he appreciates the multi-faceted events he’s been able to host,
“I like to provide a space for people in Pittsburgh, for artists and writers [where they] get to all share.” With the preference towards hosting free events, Ryan is no stranger to the amount of work that goes into the craft and is welcome to accommodate admission.
This bookstore nestled into a quiet street of Gettysburg in Point Breeze offers another chance to engage with a new piece of literature, taking on a new meaning of bottom feeder and transforming it into one that is associated with community, upliftment, and havens around gently used, new, and unexplored worlds of literature across artistic mediums. Ryan, as owner, resident of Pittsburgh, and artisan, continues to hold space for those looking to get more involved, cultivate dreams in a new and expressive way, as well as, recommend a good book!
Bottom Feeder Books is located at 415 Gettysburg St, Pittsburgh PA 15206, with hours Wednesdays through Sundays from 12:00PM-6:00PM. Follow them on instagram at www.instagram.com/bottom.feeder.books and check out their website
https://www.bottomfeederbooks.com/ for more information on upcoming events, special book titles and recommendations.
All images photographed by Vania Evangeliique.