Following a soft opening earlier this summer, Afterglow Books held a grand opening in Buffalo, N.Y., on August 3, Step Out Buffalo reported.
The new and used bookstore focuses on the fantasy and romance genres and is located on the second floor of the Hiraeth House, a women-owned business collective in Buffalo's Allentown neighborhood. Customers can donate lightly used books in exchange for loyalty stamps; 10 stamps can be redeemed for a 20% discount on their next in-store purchase.
The first meeting of the store's fantasy-focused book club, called the Enchanted Book Club, is scheduled for August 16; owner Kristina Muffoletto selected Heartless Hunter by Kristen Ciccarelli as the opening pick.
Muffoletto is also running an adult reading challenge called Read It! in partnership with a local pizzeria. Customers can pick up or download a bingo board and fill in squares by reading a book that matches the square's description. Once they've completed a row, they can turn in the bingo card for a free personal pizza.
Before finding a permanent home for Afterglow Books, Muffoletto set up shop as a pop-up vendor at various locations in and around Buffalo. Looking ahead, she'll continue to take Afterglow Books on the road; she has pop-up appearances planned a yoga festival and a book festival later this month, and in October she'll appear at the Witching Hour Market in Buffalo.