Houston’s vibrant Third Ward has a new chapter to tell with the unveiling of the redesigned home of Kindred Stories, a beloved bookstore and community hub founded by Terri Hamm to center Black authors, readers, and storytellers. Now located inside the historic El Dorado Ballroom, the space pays homage to the neighborhood’s rich artistic heritage while creating a warm, inviting environment for future generations to gather, connect, and be inspired.
The El Dorado Ballroom, built in the 1930s, was once the heartbeat of Houston’s Black arts and music scene, hosting legendary performances and serving as a gathering place for creative expression and cultural celebration. Now, Kindred Stories continues that legacy—breathing new life into the landmark while carrying forward its spirit of community and storytelling.
To bring the vision to life, interior designer Gin Braverman and her team at Gin Design Group approached the project with thoughtful restraint, ensuring that Kindred’s mission remained the focus. The result is a space where design amplifies, rather than overshadows, the bookstore’s purpose.
Among the highlights is a custom wallpaper mural by acclaimed artist Tay Butler, featuring layered portraits of Black authors and cultural icons against vintage florals. The striking design serves as an homage to legacy, literature, and memory, creating a visual narrative that connects the past with the present.
The space also features a cork stage, designed to host author talks, open mics, and community programming, making Kindred Stories as much a gathering place as it is a bookstore. Flexible seating, vibrant shelving, and welcoming lounge areas encourage visitors to linger—whether they’re browsing new releases, attending an event, or engaging in meaningful conversations.
“Kindred Stories has always been about more than books,” says founder Terri Hamm. “It’s about creating a space where our stories are celebrated, where our voices are heard, and where community thrives.”
With its thoughtful design and deep connection to Houston’s Black cultural history, Kindred Stories’ new home at the El Dorado Ballroom is both a tribute to the past and an investment in the future of storytelling.