Heathen's & Co. Booksellers is opening a physical storefront in Madisonville, Ky., following its debut as a pop-up and event business, the Dawson Springs Progress reported.
The store will sell new and used titles and reside at 24 N. Main St. Owner Frazia Sanders plans to carry books by local and independent authors along with major releases, and she is working with local artists and artisans to display and sell their work.
Sanders has already been hosting book clubs, book swaps, and silent reads, some in partnership with the local public library. She noted that the book clubs dedicated to the dark romance, thriller, and fantasy genres were the ones that really took off, and she plans to continue working with the local library after the store opens.
"I hope this is a community space where everybody feels comfortable to come in and hang out," she told the Progress. "A place to get books, talk about books, just chill out. I've been reached out to by people who'd like to come in and study and things like that."
She also publishes a newsletter devoted to local businesses and community members called Heathen's Times, and hosts a podcast called UnMasked Heathen's that features self-published authors and book industry professionals.
Sanders will begin buying used books from community members this weekend. "This way we can turn around and sell books in a more affordable way. The price point for a brand new hardback is about $30. If we can give the community more opportunities to get books like that, why not."
A grand opening is planned for early September.