Planned Bronx store would pair books and wine

NEW YORK (FOX 5 NEWS) - A book-lover from the Bronx wants to fill the void left by the upcoming closure of the borough's last bookstore. She hopes to open a new store that will appeal to readers and wine lovers alike.

In 2014, the Bronx community successfully executed an online petition to save the Barnes and Noble, the only bookstore in the borough. Two years later, the retailer once again announced its closure, but this time it is for good. It's a sad chapter, but book-lovers must turn the page and start a new story.

Noelle Santos was part of the petition two years ago. Since then, she has been working to create a place that can match the borough's burning desire for books. So she came up with the idea of the Lit Bar. She chose the word "lit" because it means "literature" but also "drunk."

Noelle wants the lit bar to be a unique spot in the South Bronx. The independent store will be serving good reads, good wine and Bronx pride. With the impending closure, the need for her shop is greater than ever. She wants the store to be a social place where people can bond.

Santos recently won $7,500 in a startup competition held by the New York Public Library. But she still has money to raise. In January, a crowdfunding campaign will launch and hopefully soon after her dream will have a fairy tale ending.