Ben and Janneane Blevins are writing a new chapter at PRINTtEXT, a periodicals shop they co-own at 652 East 52nd Street that opened on Black Friday. They recently opened the book on their shared interest in publications.

"It was probably a growing fascination. We would spend time at Barnes & Noble for the past five or six years, building our personal collection. One of the distinguishing things about our bookstore is that we sell back issues along with the most recent editions. We always have the current issues and an archive that we are currently building. Local artist Stephen Garstang designed our space. We decided to get away from the magazine racks and provide an atmosphere like you're walking into someone's living room which makes people feel at home. We hope they're divergent just like the store's publication space. We're keeping an archive and tracking down first issues that are collectibles as well, like a recent first issue of Address. We have a limited edition in stock that you can't find anywhere else. We have culturally, relevant thoughtful publications. They're not all highbrow. . . there are many accessible publications in here," Janneane explained.

Ben reflected, "We have always collected print stuff, like different periodicals and we really enjoyed reading them when we traveled. It used to be better when Northside News was at 54th and College and Borders with their periodical collection. Opening PRINTtEXT was something that we had in the back or minds the past couple of years. There was a space that opened in this area that the owner told us about and we decided to try it. We've got all sorts of periodicals, everything from art, architecture, food and literature to fashion and political theory. We have a listing of publications on our website, www.PrintText.co, which has the whole gamut of what we have in the store. Everything in the store is purchasable. The one thing is that on-line retailers like Amazon haven't figured out yet is how to sell periodicals. We buy these publications in small print runs," he explained.

PRINTtEXT combines a shop, salon, archive and study with a diversity of 300 + print publications they offer customers. Their website states: "Browsing is mandatory. Discourse is expected. Disagreements are encouraged. Opinions are appreciated. Community is obligatory." Questions about their collection can be answered by calling 910-8203. They are also on Instagram: @printtext, Twitter: @PRINTtEXT and Facebook: www.facebook.com/printtext.co.

Future events are planned in the shop as well. "We don't have an exact date set up, but we are going to do a couple of events a month. We have a projector and folks come in and discuss things they know about. There's a publication for everything that somebody can discuss," Ben said. "We hope to host events from salon literary nights and discussions to screening a movie," Janneane added.

A native of Indianapolis, Ben graduated from IUPUI where he studied political science. Janneane graduated from Butler University where she majored in business and English. She is from Seymour. Their Labrador, Huckleberry, provides canine companionship in the store and recognizes repeat customers.

The Blevins also produce a local publication. "Ben and I are both involved in Pattern Magazine that started in 2010. It's an artifact that you can put into people's hands, but it's not until they look through the magazine and see something accessible being produced by their neighbors and friends. We've been building great relationships with the City of Indianapolis and Downtown, Inc. by attracting a fashion community as a vital component," Janneane mentioned. Pattern is currently being distributed internationally.

Their e-mail letter, Indy Spectator, is in hibernation. "It was a kind of volunteer staff of people who loved Indianapolis that were excited about what was going on. It included restaurant openings and exhibits. Writer Cole Farrell shared his thoughts that were unique and expressive about living in Indianapolis. It had a variety of content, like the Top Five places for a cup of coffee, Craftedspoon's local food videos, A Couple Cooks' recipes and more," she said.

PRINTtEXT, like retail neighbor Luna Music at 52nd & College Avenue, is part of growing movement in traditional media staging a comeback. "I think there's certainly a trend with tangible artifacts. My daytime job is with a design agency that works with technology companies. I love reading on-line just as much as off-line publications. I think that people who enjoy browsing and shopping at Luna Music and Little Super tend to appreciate well-designed, physical products - objects that you can touch, use and share," Janneane noted. Ben added, "We appreciate digital just as much as print. I read articles on-line and in print."

A return trip to the City of Light provided them new inspiration. "In April, we took an adult study abroad to Paris where were surrounded by different environments and wrote a blog, www.indyxparis.com that described our in-the-moment reactions to what we were experiencing. We got involved with different organizations that are similar to our jobs. While living in Paris, we continued to manage our Indianapolis workload, incorporating our discoveries abroad with our stateside jobs," Janneane described. "Their programs in Paris are funded by the state," Ben noted.

"Just like the magazine shop, there are a lot of things from different galleries that influenced our visit to La Gaîté Lyrique, a multi-media center in the heart of Paris. We kind of stumbled upon it by accident and it became one of our favorites. It's an educational museum and archive containing anything from video game design to fashion, music and on-line design," Janneane added.

Ben and Janneane Blevins are turning the page in a rejuvenated slow news renaissance at PRINTtEXT where browsing is mandatory.