Small Town Books Opens
“Earlier this month, Cassie and James Adair opened Small Town Books in Rusk, Tex.,” the Tyler Morning Telegraph reported.
Small Town Books sells new and used books along with homeschooling curriculum, educational games and toys, teacher supplies and Christian novelty items. The store buys back some things, including homeschool items and novels, and has a refreshment area.
The store has a large display window which the Adairs plan to use to showcase works from local artists. Recently the store hosted a book-signing event with local author John Alexander. On December 18, it will have an event with Santa Claus and hot chocolate.
"I love books and have a passion for reading. Books are for all people, all ages, and all interests," Cassie Adair told the newspaper, which added that the Adairs had been "thinking more and more about opening a bookstore the past few years. We hope the bookstore will bring imagination and adventures for all ages and influences the love of reading and literacy in the community.”
Dead Tree open again
Dead Tree Books of San Antonio’s south side has reopened thanks to community support.
Upon reopening, co-owners Kenneth and Melissa Johnson said, “Our heartfelt thanks to all those who have responded to our Go Fund Me campaign. This would not have happened without you.”
They held their grand opening in early November.
You can visit the new store, located at 2815 West Southcross, Suite 3, San Antonio, TX 78211. Hours are noon-7 p.m. weekdays (except Tuesdays) and Saturdays, and noon-5 p.m. on Sunday
Wolverine Comics tragedy
On October 31, Wolverine Comics and the other businesses in Kelly Square were destroyed by the fire in downtown Sherman, Texas. Officials deemed electrical issues to be the cause of the fire, and seventeen buildings suffered fire and smoke damages.
Wolverine Comics opened in mid-March of this year boasting an inventory of “12 thousand different comic books from DC, Marvel, and all major brands as well as action figures and anime books,” in addition to “current, back issues, $1 books, hardcovers, supplies.” They say on their Facebook, “If we don't have it, we'll get it!”
For a KXII interview, co-owner Wayne Ward said, “There are people who really want to get to know the back story. They really want to know where the characters get their motivation from and that’s the niche we want to fill.”
Per the comic store’s Facebook, “We'll keep our Facebook page active to let you know when and where we relocate. Thanks for sharing the last 8 months of our lives!”
New Oak Cliff Book Store Opens
Whose Books opened in Oak Cliff on November 19 and is owned by Claudia Vega, an Oak Cliff resident, author, and former teacher. Her mission in opening the store was to cater to titles that reflect the children in her community, provide diverse stories, and improve “book deserts,” or places with limited access to bookstores.
Per their website, “Whose Books is committed to showcasing these books and authors in our community. It is through the sharing of ideas and experiences that we learn and grow together. We will inspire and create new generations of readers and writers.”
You can visit Whose Books at 1300 South Polk, #267, Dallas, Texas 75224. They are closed on Monday and Tuesday, and open Wednesday - Saturday, 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. and Sunday, noon - 5 p.m.
Recycled Reads
Hardly a new open, the Recycled Reads bookstore has been selling used books in Austin since 2009. Recycled Reads sells donated books that would be usually thrown away and out-of-circulation weeded library books from the Austin Public Library system. They sell hardcovers for $2, paperbacks for $1, and children’s books for fifty cents at their volunteer-powered store.
Recycled Reads sets itself apart, per a Texas Observer article, “for its emphasis on zero waste. The store sells as many books as it can, turns some of the rest into crafts, and partners with Goodwill and online reseller ThriftBooks to sell or recycle the leftovers.”
Recycled Reads is so focused on the lifecycle of books that per their website, by their 10th anniversary in 2019, they had diverted over 3,600 tons of material from landfills.
You can check out Recycled Reads at 5335 Burnet Road, Austin, TX 78756, Friday - Sunday, noon-6 p.m.
Mural finished at Galveston Bookstore
Local Galveston artists, Becky Major and Alee Groce, painted a new mural on the front of Galveston Bookshop. The mural includes book spines of Great Expectations by Charles Dickens, Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, Isaac’s Storm by Erik Larson, The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien, and Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie. In a recent interview, the artists said they were inspired to paint the mural as the wall was blank and they could see it from their studio.
Established in 1991, Galveston Bookshop is located in Galveston’s Historic Strand District.
You can see the mural at their 317 23rd Street location and shop the store’s collection Monday - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., and Sunday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
