Ingredients of an Outstanding Local Bookshop

"What makes these bookshops magical?”

There it was. The question I knew I would be asked, but didn’t quite have a ready answer for. My article Ten Magical Georgia Bookshops continues to resonate with readers coming to and through this beautiful state. The list’s reach is exciting! But it has also caused me to reflect on what elements bring magic to local bookshops. Magic that isn’t captured when buying books online or from a corporate book store.

Here are a few ingredients that often elevate a local bookshop experience for me.

cultivate community

A wonderful benefit of visiting local bookshops is finding a connection to fellow readers. Local bookshops make it their business to cultivate community for their patrons. Whether it’s author visits at The Book Tavern in Augusta, book club at Bear’s Books in Macon, or story time at The Story Shop in Monroe, local bookshops take the time to get to know their people and create ways for them to engage.

welcoming faces

The owner of JudyBug’s Books in Columbus, Georgia

For those working in a local bookshop, customers are more than a necessary component of getting paid, they are the point. Most book stewards love meeting others who share their love of reading and they love recommending a book! The welcoming faces who call that bookstore home are a great resource to help navigate the layout and your next selection.

Thoughtful Displays

If you are like me, then you like to discover your next read organically. This is where thoughtful displays come into play. Not only can well curated and labeled displays help you find what you are looking for, they can also passively recommend a new read. I recently bought The Bloody Chamber because it was displayed with We Have Always Lived in the Castle; I trusted the association and discovered something new. I think of it as a vibe check.

Unique Selection

It is easy to find today’s best-sellers. But what about the hidden gems? Local bookshops often have fun ways to illuminate the amazing reads that may be more obscure. Avid Bookshop in Athens offers a book subscription service that is tailored to your taste. The Bookshelf in Thomasville has a weekly podcast called From the Front Porch. Their team discusses everything from new releases to old favorites.

great reading environment

I love when a bookshop supplies reading nooks. Though not all have the space for a well-loved chair in the corner, the smell of pages or coffee and sounds of relaxing music often pair up to create the perfect bookish environment. A great environment allows perusers to focus on the books and finding the one that is right for them.

Connected to their community

Main Streets across Georgia have been experiencing a resurgence. Many bookstores, like JudyBug’s Books in Columbus or The Golden Bough in Macon have pioneered downtown investment. They, and the readers that support them, have made a commitment to their hometowns. Ultimately, a book bought from a local bookshop is a vote for that community. The localized investment that comes from visiting Georgia’s bookshops is perhaps the element that is most magical to me.