The Guilty Librarian, an all-ages, general-interest bookstore, held a grand opening celebration Saturday morning in Flomaton, Ala., NorthEscambia.com reported.
Located in an historic building at 331 Palafox St., the Guilty Librarian sells new titles across a wide variety of genres. Co-owners and mother-daughter team Chandra Rigby and Tori Walker noted that fantasy and romance have a large presence on the shelves, and the store's decor and atmosphere are inspired by dark academia and romantasy aesthetics.
Their event plans include author signings as well as after-hours events like a "Pages & Potions" night scheduled for October 30 that will include after-hours shopping, tarot readings, mocktails, and a costume contest. On November 28, Small Business Saturday, the Guilty Librarian will partner with the town for a special holiday market with local vendors.
Rigby told NorthEscambia.com, "This community has gone above and beyond here; they have wholeheartedly supported us even before we are open." Walker said they hope for the space to be an oasis for shoppers: "We want people to walk in here, and everything out here is quiet. They've escaped their own reality and just hung out with us for a little while. It's like the whole thing, and also I don't know of any other bookstores around here that are like this."
Walker and Rigby told NorthEscambia.com they fell in love with the building. Built in the 1880s, it has housed a drugstore and soda fountain, a hospital, the town's telephone switchboard, and more. Renovation work revealed original tile floors and a wooden ceiling, which have been restored.
The grand opening festivities on Saturday included book signings with local authors, local vendors, and swag bags for the first 50 shoppers.