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Charlottesville is about to welcome a new store that aims to cater to the LGBTQ+ community and those who support anti-fascist ideals. The Beautiful Idea, a brainchild of four transgender business owners, will serve as a queer-friendly arts and anti-fascist bookstore located on the Downtown Mall. The owners envision the store not only as a place to sell their merchandise but also as a community space for the queer and leftist radical community.

With plans to house multiple vendors in one location, the interior of The Beautiful Idea resembles an antiques mall with a twist. Instead of dusty lamps and armoires, the store will offer more subversive and politically-charged items such as T-shirts featuring “sassy” and “ungovernable” woodland creatures, along with biographies of Marxist political activist, Angela Davis. The store will serve as an antifascist bookstore, queer market, and radical community hub, according to the hand-scribbled sign on its door.

One of the store’s co-owners, Senlin Means, formerly known as J. Tobias Beard, has transitioned from being a freelance journalist to an activist. She has been involved in direct action and has faced both traffic-blocking and trespassing charges, the latter stemming from an incident involving a Confederate statue. In recent years, Means has channeled her activism through F12 Infoshop, an anarchist-focused bookstore she operates with Ellie Picard.

The concept of The Beautiful Idea was introduced by Picard, who explained that the phrase has long been associated with the principle of anarchism. As they prepare to move F12 Infoshop into the new store, Picard and Means will be joined by the owners of Critter Butts, a business known for selling hand-blocked T-shirts with queer-friendly sayings. Critter Butts has already created a sense of community while selling their merchandise at local farmers markets.

According to Critter Butts co-owner Dylan West, there is a need for a space where people can hang out without necessarily having to buy something, and this is what they hope to offer at The Beautiful Idea. The store aims to become a queer community center, complete with a “reading nook” where people can gather and engage with one another.

The store’s location on the Downtown Mall has drawn excitement from both neighboring businesses and potential vendors. The owner of Botanical Fare, a vegan restaurant nearby, expressed excitement about having like-minded and progressive individuals in the area. Vendors such as Chris Martin, a baker and pastry chef, also see the store as an opportunity to expand their own businesses.

The Beautiful Idea’s proximity to Fourth Street holds significance for the owners. The street was the site of the 2017 Unite the Right rally-turned-riot, resulting in the death of anti-racist activist Heather Heyer. Being close to this historical location allows the store to promote the idea of anti-fascism and keep its presence felt in downtown Charlottesville.

The group plans to open The Beautiful Idea in time for the city’s annual Pride event, the Charlottesville Pride Festival. With its diverse range of merchandise and its commitment to providing a safe space and community hub, The Beautiful Idea aims to fill a void in Charlottesville and become a welcoming space for the queer community and allies alike.

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