Congratulations to One More Page Books, Arlington, Va., which is celebrating its 15th anniversary this Thursday, January 22, 6:30-8 p.m., with a party featuring "cookies, snacks, bubbly and more." Attendees are encouraged to share their favorite memories of One More Page. The celebration is not just for the store; "We wouldn't be here without your support, good humor and friendship," One More Page emphasized.
Owner Eileen McGervey, who had worked in the tech world for more than 20 years, founded One More Page store in 2011 because, as the store noted, "she loves reading and talking about books, and she remembers the joy of her first job--shelving books on a book mobile while in high school."
The store received tremendous support from the Arlington and Falls Church communities. Especially with the closing of other area businesses like Borders, "people were searching for a place to find new literary selections and gather together to share and discuss books." In its first year alone, One More Page hosted some 70 authors.
Besides promoting a love of books and diverse authors and offering books, puzzles, chocolate, wine, and more, the store has provided "a space for bringing community together in support of local writers, artists, and independent businesses." For the past five years, the store has led the Arlington/Falls Church Small Business Passport Program featuring more than 20 local stores and restaurants for a weekend of shopping and dining, and the store has participated in the Indie Bookstore Crawl, featuring 15 area bookstores. It partners with the Arlington Public Library on the Arlington Reads series and other events.
One More Page also hosts nonbook events that focus on staff and customer interests, including wine and chocolate tastings, the Sweetest 16 Chocolate Taste-off, a Taylor Swift Bracelet Making Night, a Twilight 20th Anniversary party, puzzle exchanges, and more. The store has offered programs like "Free Books (and Puzzles) for Feds" during the recent government shutdown and "Shop for a Cause" donation days for World Central Kitchen, and also supports Binc, the ACLU, and ActBlue, among other organizations.