Interested in buying a new book while supporting a great cause at the same time? Here’s the abridged version: the Mid-City branch (3141 Ponce De Leon St.) of Maple Street Bookshop will partner with Re-Bridge—the Bayou St. John Bridge Restoration Project—this weekend, donating 10% of all store purchases to the restoration of the Magnolia and Dumaine Street bridges. While the Maple Street Bookshop has allied itself with various non-profits in the past, this will be the first partnership for the Bayou St. John branch.

The Magnolia Bridge over Bayou St. John. Photo by Wally Gobetz.

As one of the most historically-rich neighborhoods in New Orleans, Faubourg St. John is both physically and communally linked by the Magnolia and Dumaine bridges that, aside from being heavily utilized by pedestrians and bicyclists, are some of the oldest known bridges in the city. In 2011, the Magnolia Bridge (also popularly known as Cabrini Bridge, given it’s proximity to the school) was included on the Louisiana Landmarks Society’s New Orleans’ Nine, an annual list of the city’s most endangered historic structures. Organized by the Faubourg St. John Neighborhood Association, Re-Bridge aims to enhance the quality of life for the residents of Faubourg St. John and its visitors by improving the structural soundness and walk-ability of these two historic bridges.

This Saturday and Sunday, 10% of all purchases made at the Bayou St. John branch of Maple Street Bookshop will be donated to Re-Bridge in an effort to support the preservation of these public resources and neighborhood landmarks. To find out more information on Re-Bridge or how to get involved, visit rebridge.org