Folklore Grove Bookstore held its grand opening recently at 2410 W Abram St., suite 116, in Arlington, Tex. Noting that it "is not the kind of place you stumble upon--unless you look for hidden stories," the Shorthorn reported that the new bookshop is hidden within Smash Toast, a new gourmet sandwich shop, and "behind a bookshelf. The small space, draped in curling vines, stars and soft pixie lights, emits a warm, golden glow that welcomes visitors inside the grove."
Owned by Kait Thibeaux, the bookstore features classic folklore and fantasy titles and local authors. The idea of sharing space began last January, when Smash Toast owner Bobby King found the restaurant location with a hidden bookshelf door. With the help of friends and family, King and Thibeaux spent months remodeling the space to create the hybrid venture.
"It's cool doing business with your friends, but it's even cooler to see your friends succeed in something that they really want to do," King said.
Thibeaux told the Shorthorn that from sharing books with disability representation to housing local authors, the bookstore allows her to share pieces of literature that expand customers' comfort bubbles.
To help launch her business, Thibeaux raised funds by offering four merchandise tiers: a tote bag for the first; a T-shirt for the second; both items for the third; and finally the donor's name engraved in one of the books on the secret bookshelf door, plus the T-shirt and tote bag. She was able to raise $4,000 to help pay for books and bookshelves.
"I think people will pick up and go, 'This isn't a book I would have looked for, but it looks really interesting' and then they read it and then they love it," she said. "That's my goal."