Itinerant Literate, which has operated as a mobile bookstore for three years, opened a bricks-and-mortar store, in North Charleston, S.C., last week and had a grand opening on Saturday. The celebration included literary-themed trivia, a story time, a literary scavenger hunt, a Scrabble meetup, live music, an open mic for storytelling and poetry, and 20% off staff recommendations and local/regional titles. The store is owned by Julia Turner and Christen Thompson.
The Post and Courier noted that the bookstore's 675-square-foot location was previously the home of the Orange Spot coffee shop and Roadside Blooms florist, both of which are also owned by women and both of which moved to larger quarters elsewhere. Thompson commented: "I guess this place has some kind of feminist magic that I'm very into." Toni Reale, the owner of the flower shop, added, "It's almost like a little incubator space for lady-owned businesses--and creative businesses, too."
Itinerant Literate will continue to use Viola, the store's book trailer, for off-site events.