Hometown Bookstore hosted a ribbon cutting and grand opening celebration last weekend at 520 East Main St. in Grayson, Ky. The Carter County Times reported that the new bookstore "showcases a wide variety of genres (virtually all of them) and is dedicated to providing Carter County, Grayson, and the entire region with the printed word. As the growing crowd lined up to enter the new store, more than one excited future customer said that Grayson had needed something just like this for a long time."
After the opening festivities, the bookstore posted on Facebook: "We would like to thank our local community and beyond for their support in bringing a bookstore to Grayson.... Yesterday, over 100 books found new homes, which was awesome for our first day and gave a glimpse into what readers are searching for. As a small business, we know we can't offer everything due to limitations, but our goal is to do our best to find that special book. Again, thank you to everyone who helped make our opening day successful. We are off to place a book order."
Owner Mari Ann Caudill, who has lived in Grayson for 13 years, told the Times that she developed a love for books when she was young. It has continued into her adult life, combining with a love for telling stories, which inspired her to become an indie author.
She added that bringing a bookstore to life and into the community was a long and often challenging process: "It was very difficult. And I might do an e-book about that later. Funding is the major challenge. Some lenders feel as though bookstores are on the way out. But I was reading an article just the other day that said parents are pushing their children more toward books to keep them from spending so much time online."
In addition to a wide selection of mainstream books and popular titles, Caudill intends to build a selection of historical works about Appalachia and a section of general nonfiction. Also in her plans are author book signings and special programs like a children's story time.