Story Keeper Bookstore, a general-interest bookstore with titles for all ages, opened a bricks-and-mortar location last month in Selma, N.C.
Owner Tammy Braglin carries a wide assortment of new and used books in her roughly 1,000-square-foot shop in Selma's downtown. The shop held a grand opening celebration on August 5, and Braglin is starting to roll out more events this month, including book clubs and children's storytime sessions. There is also a special scavenger hunt event planned for downtown Selma this month and, beyond that, Braglin hopes to start hosting authors and planning "tons of fun events."
While Braglin carries books for all ages, one of her major goals is to "really reach out and connect to our young adults," specifically young people between the ages of 13-20. She explained: "I want them to have a place to come and read, and hang out and enjoy each other in a safe and welcoming environment."
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| Owner Tammy Braglin and her husband, John Braglin. | |
Prior to opening Story Keeper, Braglin had no experience in bookselling, though she'd always dreamed of opening a bookstore once she retired. She'd previously worked in banking and in senior care, with her most recent job being the program coordinator at a local senior center. She recalled that when she was young, becoming a librarian was not considered important or pushed as a career, so she pursued other avenues. But all along she was "loving books, literature, reading, and history. My true passion."
Last November Braglin opened Story Keeper as an online and pop-up store, traveling to vendor events in Selma and nearby towns. Initially it was "more of a hobby," a way of connecting with people who loved books and reading as much as she did. Braglin is part of a community group called Activate Selma, which works to help revitalize the town, and in April a fellow member of the group told Braglin about a space available next to a popular coffee shop.
She visited the space on the same day and found it to be the "absolutely perfect location and size." Within two weeks she had the store rented, and over the ensuing months she and her husband "gutted the building from top to bottom" and "started over," bringing the store back to "its original beauty."
So far, Braglin reported, "the community has been so supportive and welcoming." It is the second independent bookstore in Johnston County and interest in the bookstore has been remarkable.
"I definitely missed my calling in life so I am grateful for this opportunity at 48 years old," Braglin said. "It's never too late to follow a dream!" --Alex Mutter