Inkwood Books in Haddonfield, N.J., had a surprise visit from singer/songwriter/poet/author/icon Patti Smith last weekend. The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that Smith stopped by the shop "in what owner Julie Beddingfield called a 'chance encounter' after Smith saw a copy of her own new book, Year of the Monkey, in the shop's window."
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| Patti Smith at Inkwood | |
"To my knowledge, that's the first time a really well-known person walked in," Beddingfield said. "That does not happen in Haddonfield."
Inkwood bookseller Amy Rebecca Tan said Smith had never seen one of her books in a bookshop window, and went in with her sister to thank the staff and chat. She also signed the store's three remaining copies.
"I gushed like an idiot," Tan said. "She was so sweet, and I was a mess the whole rest of the day. I literally cried after she left. I couldn't believe it." She had a photo taken with Smith and shared it on Facebook. "If I didn't take that photo, no one would believe me. I have photo evidence--and I don't know Photoshop or anything, so it's legit."
Beddingfield, who just missed Smith, said the post is the "closest thing to viral" that Inkwood has ever had online.