Spineless Reads has opened in Settler's Market at 4640 Casey Blvd, Suite 130, in Williamsburg, Va. The bookstore "aims to bring together stories and community, with a goal to be as much a community hub as it is a shop," the Williamsburg Yorktown Daily reported.
"I've been writing and publishing for a few years now, but about two years ago I had this itch to open a bookstore," said Lucas Marino, the shop's owner and author of the Haunting of the Whispering House series. "I really enjoy selling books, not just writing and publishing books. If I can make my whole life about books, I'm a happy person."
He added: "Launching the store doesn't scare me. What's more daunting is manning the store every day once it opens. I love creating something from nothing, and this gives me the chance to do that in a whole new way."
Noting that his background includes running a training company and serving in the U.S. Coast Guard, Marino sees the venture as both a creative outlet and a gift to the community. The Daily wrote that the "goal is to make Spineless Reads more than just shelves of books. That vision extends to creating a welcoming space for teens in the area. With few options for younger residents, the store aims to be a gathering place for readers of all ages and interests."
"I want people to feel welcome, like they're walking into a place where they can laugh, talk and have fun, not a library where you have to stay quiet," Marino said. "There will be music, lighting and decorations. I want it to feel like a destination." The bookshop's name is drawn from its origin online as an e-book marketplace.
He also hopes to tap into Williamsburg's rich history and local storytelling traditions: "We'd love to host local authors who write about Williamsburg's hauntings and make those stories accessible to younger audiences.... We want to be part of the artistic culture of Williamsburg. If you love romance, horror, or literary fiction, I want you to feel like there's a place here for you."