There have been lots of little things I did not expect when I dreamed of opening a bookstore. Some of them are good things, some not so good (cleaning public bathrooms never once came up in my day dreams). But the best one, which I never expected, was the warm welcome other booksellers extended to me. From my very first mention that I might open a bookstore I was welcomed into a family of booksellers that has been my support system ever since. I owe so much to Britton and Amy at Garden District Books; Judith and Tom at Octavia; and to John and Michelle at Cavalier House Books among others that I can never really repay the debt. Now I am getting my chance to pass that warm welcome along and I am loving it!
It meant so much to me when Britton filled me in on the “Owning a Bookstore” course that was available to me as a new bookseller and suggested joining the American Bookseller’s Association. Judith and Tom filled me in on all things SIBA (Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance) and promptly took me under their wing at conferences to introduce me to everyone. John and Michelle from Cavalier actually showed up at the store my first weekend to welcome me and have been so helpful with finding publishers reps, and along with Amy at Garden District they have all answered more questions for me over the last 4 years than I am sure they bargained for when I wandered into their midst. For four years now I have mostly been the new kid on the block but I am finally getting my chance to Pay-it-Forward a bit and it has happened in the most interesting way.
Back in July of 2017 a group of ladies contacted me from Baton Rouge. It seemed as though they were all members of The Storied Life Book club in Baton Rouge. They were coming to St Francisville for a Book Club retreat and wanted to schedule a visit to the bookstore. We were so excited to meet this group of avid readers we scheduled a date and time and welcomed them with a bit of wine and a presentation on new books coming out tailored to their interests. After a lovely book chat and a bit of shopping the ladies were preparing to leave one of the ladies very shyly said to me “ I can’t believe I am telling someone this but my husband and I have long dreamed of opening a bookshop. If we ever decided to move forward could we ask you some questions”. Well of course I said Yes! We have talked a few times over the last few years and I am so excited to say that Terry and James came to The Louisiana Book Fest last week where I was able to introduce them to authors and publishers and answer some more questions and guess what guys? They are about to hold their first pop-up bookshop at Baton Rouge’s White Light Nights. Stop by and see Terry and James at the “Red Stick Reads” space and tell them hello. You are going to love them. They will be such an awesome addition to our independent bookseller family.
And on the subject of pop-up bookstores showing up in your community be sure and visit The Conundrum booth at Market at the Mill in New Roads November 22-24th, and at the Plantation Christmas Markets the week of December 14th. And follow us here for more information on how your group can schedule a Book Club Retreat at The Conundrum.