Fort Mill Bookshop, a general-interest, all-ages bookstore, opened last month in Fort Mill, S.C., the Post and Courier reported.
Located at 108 Springs St., Fort Mill Bookshop carries both new and used titles, along with puzzles and board games. The store's first big event was a release party for Sarah J. Maas's A Court of Splintered Harmony, and going forward owner Lauren Randar plans to host author signings, book clubs, and other events.
"I've always wanted to own a bookshop," Randar told the Post and Courier. "Supposedly, there's never been a bookshop in Fort Mill. I just want to offer it to the community."
Randar was already a small business owner before opening Fort Mill Bookshop, having launched a graphic design company called Tied & Two six years ago. She decided to open a bookstore after moving Tied & Two to a new location and seeing the opportunity for a bookstore near Fort Mill's main street.
Randar is also the founder of the Downtown Co-Op of Fort Mill, an association of local business owners and other community members looking to improve downtown Fort Mill. She plans to draw from her experience opening Fort Mill Bookshop to help create a small business toolkit for other business owners to use when opening in town.
In the months ahead, Randar plans to host a grand opening celebration for the bookstore.