Russell Wattenberg, founder of the free book haven and warehouse The Book Thing, has been hosting donation drives and drop-offs sporadically since its physical space on Vineyard Lane was closed due to a fire in March 2016.

Another drive took place last weekend, but this time, with hopeful news: The Book Thing is soon to reopen.

Wattenberg said that he is planning to open The Book Thing by early October, but is waiting to obtain occupancy permits. Once granted, the plan is to build 250 bookcases and to place about 200,000 books into the renovated warehouse.

“They’re not all going to fit on the shelves, but we have to have them back in stock because when we’re open, books will be flying,” he said.

Wattenberg said the warehouse is “the same, but better,” with a working public bathroom that’s handicap-accessible.

Wattenberg said The Book Thing hosted a book drop-off and donation drive last Saturday and Sunday, in hopes of receiving more books and items, like air purifiers, office supplies and toilet paper, to make a “smooth transition” back to its old space.

—?Brittany Britto