A Week of Outfits: Maura Cheeks

Have you ever dreamed of opening a bookstore one day? For novelist Maura Cheeks, that day was June 23rd when she opened Liz’s Book Bar in Carroll Gardens. (It’s also a café and wine bar!) Here, she talks about her work outfits, favorite novels, and $60 wedding band…

Shirt: Liz’s Book Bar. Shorts: Everlane, similar. Hoops: similar.

“Since my bookstore is called Liz’s Book Bar, people assume I’m Liz, but she was actually my maternal grandmother. When I was growing up in Philadelphia, we went to bookstores together, and she’d hand me these thick books I probably shouldn’t have been reading. She made me believe that writing was something I could do. Naming the store after her felt like the right way to honor her.”

Jumpsuit: Everlane, on resale sites. Tote: Liz’s Book Bar. Shoes: “Senderos clogs from DNA footwear,” similar. Hoops: similar.

“I’m often in the basement or behind the bar, so comfort is my top priority. I mostly wear loose pants and closed-toed shoes. But when I’m running short on time, I grab this jumpsuit, which I wear at least once a week.”

Pants: Paloma Wool, on resale sites, also similar. Shirt: similar. Shoes: “Senderos clogs from DNA footwear,” similar.

“For pants, I love Paloma Wool’s louder prints, like these checkered ones. They also have the best sweaters — I’m always wearing one in the winter.”

“When we got married, my husband and I wanted simple rings. We found these iblack bands on Etsy. My husband will pick up a shift if we’re short staffed, which I really appreciate.”

Jumpsuit: “street festival in Philadelphia,” similar. Hoops: similar.

“New Yorkers wear a lot of black, so when I wear bright things, our customers notice: ‘Oh, wow, in a good mood today?’ I really enjoy working the bar shift at Liz’s. We already have regulars, which feels so nice, and our staff picks do well. It’s a great community.”

Shirt: Rag & Bone. Pants: 33 Field Trip. Shoes: “Senderos clogs from DNA footwear,” similar. Hoops: similar.

“In 2019, I wrote an article about the racial wealth gap in the U.S. After finishing it, I still had a bunch of questions that I wanted to explore. So, I turned to fiction. Acts of Forgiveness is about what happens after a reparations act passes, looking at what that could mean for one family and the country more broadly.”

“Running a bookstore is more stressful and exhausting than I’d ever imagined, as many things are. There are a million small details, so you’re making decisions on the fly every day. But it’s rewarding. There aren’t many Black-owned businesses in this neighborhood, and I’ve had a lot of Black women come up to me and say they’re so proud of what I’m doing. I’ve finally stopped crying when that happens.”

Thank you for welcoming us into your bookstore and your world, Maura!

P.S. More women share their weeks of outfits, including a pattern lover in Seattle and an antiques dealer in Maine.

(Photos by Yumi Matsuo.)