Pearl's Books, the independent bookstore that Leah and Daniel Jordan are opening in downtown Fayetteville, Ark., is nearing completion and should open this fall, according to the Fayetteville Flyer. Renovations on the space have been underway, and both custom-built shelving and shelving from Nightbird Books, which closed early last year, has been installed. The Jordans had first announced plans in May.
The pair said that the pandemic led them "to start thinking more about their priorities, and taking more seriously some of their longtime dreams," as the paper put it.
Opening a bookstore "had been in the back of our mind for a while," Leah said. "From March 2020 on, I started thinking about it more often, and hinting about it more, joking 'Wouldn't it be cool if.' This January, Daniel said 'What if we did just open a bookstore?' I was immediately on board."
Named after a late family dog, Pearl's Books will feature new works of fiction, nonfiction, children's books and more. "We'll be kind of a general interest bookshop, not necessarily a specialty shop," Daniel said.
The new store plans to host author talks, book signings, release parties and other events. The Jordans also plan to serve beer and wine and snacks.