HOLLAND — Antidote Books & Records, a nearly year-old indie shop in Holland’s Washington Square, hopes to heal the community with analog literature, music and media.
Jenny Kinne and Josh Johnson, partners and co-owners, said the idea for the store was born while they were having breakfast at The Biscuit. Kinne said she’d always wanted to own a bookstore, and eight years ago took over Books & Mortar in Grand Rapids — which is slated to close in August.
Kinne eventually met musician Johnson, and their dream to “marry books and music” became reality when they opened Antidote in August 2025 directly across from The Biscuit.
“We called it Antidote because we believe in the healing power of books and music,” Kinne told The Sentinel. “We want to build community and a life for people.”
Kinne emphasized the store’s location as “magical” — with a walkable neighborhood and welcoming feel.
“There is an entire community … with a desire to learn, be curious and get to know others,” she said.
Antidote hosts live music nights, storytimes for children, and monthly book and vinyl clubs. The groups are designed to be “radically open,” allowing guests to join anytime and get to know one another. Kinne said attendees have a diverse range of knowledge, with some new to physical media and others having been interested for years.
Kinne and Johnson encourage shoppers to bring books and music for donation or sale. After evaluation, guests can receive either cash or store credit for their items.
The business will soon start to sell record players and a selection of CDs. With the increase of analog items for sale, Kinne and Johnson hope to keep building an “in-person community for sharing music and literature.”
Learn more by following @antidotebooksandrecords on Instagram and Facebook.
— Julie Davino is a freelance writer for The Holland Sentinel. Contact the newsroom at newsroom@hollandsentinel.com.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Antidote Books & Records brings ‘healing power’ to Washington Square
Reporting by Julie Davino, Special to The Sentinel / The Holland Sentinel
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By Julie Davino, Special to The Sentinel | USA TODAY Network
