Downtown Raleigh children's book store to open early April

The owner of a new children's bookstore in downtown Raleigh has set the opening date.

Read With Me will open April 7 with a special preview party on April 2 for supporters of the store's IndieGogo online fundraising campaign, according to its Twitter account.

The shop will be at 111 E. Hargett St., Suite 110, in the space between Briggs Hardware and Arrow Haircuts and formerly home to nuvonivo, a children's clothing boutique. It's just about a block from Marble Kids Museum.

Store owner Christine Brenner is a former teacher and school librarian. She wants Read With Me to be a place for everyone to share their love of children’s books.

"I want to to share my passion for children’s literature and the importance of early literacy," Brenner, a mom, told me last month. "I envision Read With Me, A Children’s Book & Art Shop as a place where everyone is welcome and where visitors feel inspired to meet a new friend — real or imagined."