Turning Page Bookshop is Growing!

Several months ago, I was cleaning the house and I came across this business card.  You're probably wondering what is The Booksmith and why you never heard of it.

The Booksmith is the predecessor to Turning Page Bookshop (which I mention here and where I volunteer). My friend Valinda bought a bookstore that was already in business in Seneca, which is about 3 hours from here (it's in the Upstate, near Clemson). Her and Arrylee (her BFF and store manager) tried their best to keep the store afloat, but due to circumstances beyond their control, they had to close shop there (and that is their story to tell, not mine).  Family and friends encouraged them not to fully close the store, but move it closer to Charleston. And two years ago, Turning Page opened in Goose Creek. With my help, the store's opening went viral and there was a lot of press coverage. And a lot of authors came out of the woodwork and wanted their books in the store. 😂

Things were steady...then the pandemic hit.  Valinda and Arrylee did the best they could under the circumstances.

And then George Floyd was killed and all of a sudden there was an emphasis of supporting Black-owned businesses, including bookstores.

And the press release that I wrote that said they were the only Black-owned bookstore in South Carolina (and still are the only brick-and-mortar) paid off. Big. Orders came from all over. And they are still getting support from across the country, over a year later.  

Which leads me to tomorrow (September 11), where I can announce that Turning Page is having their grand opening for their second location in Summerville! The location is at 203 East 3rd North Street. To reach them by phone, call 843-695-8484.

The Goose Creek location is moving and hopes to reopen by the holidays. 

You can read more about the grand opening via the Charleston City Paper.

They can be reached via email at info@turningpagebookshop.com and visit the website and shop at www.turningpagebookshop.com. They also have a Bookshop.org page and if you are an audiobook person, they are also on Libro.fm.

Back to the business card. When I texted Valinda this picture, she told me to throw the card away. I didn't because there is a testimony with that card! Who would have thought that the closing of the store in Seneca would have turned out to be like a blessing in disguise? Now instead of a store that is closed, there are now two stores! In a pandemic and coming out of a recession! To God Be The Glory! 🙌