About Hyattsville
Busboys and Poets in Hyattsville, our fourth location, opened in July 2011, in service to the four distinct communities that make up The Prince George’s County Gateway Arts District of Maryland: Mount Rainier, Brentwood, North Brentwood and Hyattsville.
This gathering place is situated at the heart of a diverse and growing collection of neighborhoods. Of this eclectic place, Hyattsville historian, Andra Damron, wrote, “Hyattsville, at first glance, may be seen as a typical Washington, DC, suburb, with growth spurred by the railroad, streetcar, and automobile. However, its prominence in Prince George’s County was earned by its many firsts and innovative residents whose optimism and ingenuity make Hyattsville’s history unique.”
What first attracted Busboys and Poets’ owner, Andy Shallal, to this distinct community was the Gateway Arts District’s vision to be a place where artists are viewed as “community assets” and where the District strives to meet their needs. Here, we find numerous opportunities to live, work and play--in ways both affordable an enriching--in just four small towns. The existence of a Busboys and Poets in Hyattsville also plays a role in making the Gateway Arts District as a destination spot for artists of all ages and disciplines, as well as students in the nearby town of College Park, visitors and residents throughout the DC metropolitan area.About the Howard Zinn Room
The Zinn Room is dedicated to Howard Zinn, the activist, educator, historian and playwright best known for his work, A People's History of the United States. The mural in the Zinn Room was painted by Busboys and Poets owner, Andy Shallal. It draws inspiration from Langston Hughes' poem, "The Negro Speaks of Rivers". Four bodies of water converge at the center, where Howard Zinn is prominently featured.
The dedication of the Howard Zinn Room took place on September 21, 2011 (International Day of Peace), with a lively celebration hosted by Dave Zirin, progressive activist and sports writer. The evening featured performances, readings from “The People Speak Live!”, and appearances by Dr. Cornel West, Bernice Johnson Reagon, Medea Benjamin, Jeff Zinn, Emma’s Revolution, Regie Cabico, Barbara Ehrenreich, Marian Wright Edelman, Cindy and Craig Corrie, Beverly Daniel Tatum, David Swanson, Phyllis Bennis, Bill Fletcher, Jr., Geoff Millard, Kymone Freeman, Judy Richardson, Mary Beth Tinker, Kevin Zeese, Laura Flanders, Gloria Minott, and Jay Winter Nightwolf.While the evening also proved to be a deeply saddening one (Troy Davis was executed on September 21st), Andy Shallal reminded the crowd, “Hope is in our midst, it’s in our DNA, any activist understands what hope looks and feels like.” Our Hyattsville location carries the memory and legacy of Howard Zinn’s timeless words, “Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can transform the world.” Read more about the dedication of The Zinn Room and International Day of Peace here.
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IN THE NEWS!
Alternet: Washington, DC Activists Gather to Keep the Spirit of Howard Zinn Alive
NBC Washington: Busboys and Poets Opens in Hyattsville
TBD.com: Busboys and Poets opens Hyattsville location, its fourth
VIDEO | Hyattsville Arts District- Busboys and Poets by Whitney Harris
Washington Post: Where We Live: Historic Hyattsville Sees a Retail Birth
HYATTSVILLE
ADDRESS:
5331 Baltimore Avenue
Hyattsville, MD 20781
PHONE:
301-779-2787 (ARTS)
FAX:
301-779-7902
HOURS:
Monday – Thursday 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Friday 8:00 AM – 12:00 Midnight
Saturday 9:00 AM – 12:00 Midnight
Sunday 9:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Busboys books at Hyattsville: Open 7 days a week! Monday - Saturday, 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM and Sunday, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
DIRECTIONS:
Metro-Rail:
• Rhode Island Ave (Red Line)
• PG Plaza (Green Line)
• West Hyattsville (Green Line)
From Rhode Island Ave Metro:
Option 1) Take the 83 Bus in the direction of Cherry Hill and exit at the Baltimore and Hamilton Street stop.
Option 2) Take the 86 Bus in the direction of Calverton and exit at the 40th Avenue and Jefferson Street stop.
From PG Plaza Metro:
Take the F8 Bus in the direction of Cheverly Station and exit at Jefferson Street and Baltimore Avenue.
From West Hyattsville Metro:
Take the F8 Bus in the direction of Cheverly Station and exit at Jefferson Street and Baltimore Avenue.
Parking:
Parking Lot located behind the shopping center.
