It's Official - We're FIVE Years Summerville Strong!

Yep, we did it, y’all! Thanks to everyone who attended our official five-year bday bash, especially since it was pouring rain all evening! Funny enough, it rained on our opening on March 1, 2019 too, so I guess that’s a thing?

***Awesome cake hubby had made for us (tasted great, too!)***

We had so much fun, and we’re creating a unique word cloud of five words Main Street is to each of you – watch for that (and maybe a tee-shirt too in the future). If you have five words to describe what Main Street Reads means to you, send them to me at [email protected] – more the merrier!

I’m sharing a few pics from the evening (more on social) before our list of what’s coming up next below, but I need a few more thank-you words first. Last week I thanked you, our awesome, incredible readers, but “it takes a village” and so I also must thank so many more before I get sung off the stage:

***Soon-to-be author Carol Webster with authors Syril Levin Kline and Regina Williams – all also members of our Main Street Writes***

Authors! I mean, seriously, what’s a book without an author, eh? Hundreds of authors in the past five years have come to share their stories and wisdom with you; we love every one (and hundreds more to come for sure!)

SIBA and ABA! Y’all don’t see this because they work behind the scenes, but the Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance (SIBA) and American Booksellers Association (ABA) are the finest trade organizations on the planet. Both helped us get open with so many useful tools and resources. Both helped us weather that pesky pandemic. And both continue to help us, and other indie booksellers around the country to survive and thrive. I honestly can’t say enough cool things about them (and all booksellers will agree) — it’s like always having someone in your corner ready to mop the sweat from your brow.

***From l-r, Kelley, Shari, Kellen and Kristy – Makayla missed the shindig – off at a school choir competition***

Sister Sellers! Kelley, Kristy, Kellen, and Makayla – we couldn’t ask for a better team! We all love books, of course. But it takes a special person to be able to share that passion with wisdom and grace, and help each of you find your next great read. They’re a blessing to our community. And of course, a shout-out to past sellers who are always with us, even when they’re not, including our first, Hannah Rose, our second, Emma June, and Sarah, Eleanor, Kirsten, Charlotte… and all the rest who may have been transferred or back to school or retired, but you’ll always be what’s made Main Street Reads special.

***Thanks, honey -couldn’t do it w/out ya!***

Family! My better half, Jeff – who just had his own company’s fifth birthday (American Promotional Products – they’re why we have cool bags and tee shirts, just sayin’…) You’re my rock, baby! Our daughter Megan, who stepped in from the very start and whose knowledge and wisdom I consistently rely on. I mean, she’s a teacher, y’all – no greater calling, right? But more, she’s my bestie. Our son Jake and daughter-in-law Tatiana, who can always be counted on for advice on all things tech and AI, and charts and Google sheets, lol. My artist sister Karin (logos on her) and brother-in-law and musician Mike, who’ve helped with so many events, especially Indie Bookstore Day! And nephew Sol, whose uber-cool book nooks decorate the store and help make us unique!

And a quick thanks also to the local DREAM merchants group for all the cool stuff that happens in Summerville, the Timrod and Dorchester libraries, Eva’s on Main, who keeps us fed and inspired and all the rest of you I might have missed…

I need to stop all the gushing now – y’all have things to do and books to read, I know. But I needed you to know too that Summerville really IS a village – THANK YOU ALL! Can’t wait to spend the next five with you…

DON’T FORGET THIS WEEK: Fantasy Club Thursday, and Brad Taylor Sunday – click the linked headlines below for more info!