A Spenard porn shop is being transformed into a bookstore and cafe.


“It’s a flat lot and it’s good size. If you can get past what it is and what it was, and see what it could be, this could be a really nice,” said new owner Vered Mares.


She said there’s a disgusting smell and warned us not to touch the walls as we walked past rooms with coin operated video players.


The building is going to be demolished. Construct crews will start from scratch on the Writer’s Block Book Store and Cafe starting this spring.


“During this whole process we have to have a sense of humor,” Mares said. “It’s completely giggle worthy, it’s completely uncomfortable and you just have to get past it and just know that it’s completely worth it.”


Mares said the new bookstore and cafe will bring positive change for her Spenard neighborhood, which she calls home.


Her hope is that people will look past this area’s history of prostitution and sex crimes, and instead come together to enjoy good food, books and music.


The new business is expected to open in summer 2016.