Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Strom.
Jessica, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I started my bookstore in my garage! It was my way to build something positive that brought me joy while I was postpartum working graveyard at my full-time job. I would post my hours on my Instagram page and the book lovers showed up!
About 6 months after my garage shop opened, I started selling books at a local vendor-shop, The HNB House, in a 10×10 foot space. I did pop-ups and markets, crafts and paint nights, all the things!
A year after I started selling in The HNB House, I opened my own storefront on Main Street in Lebanon! It is a little 442 square foot shop, but we make it work! I have adjusted my hours several times to work around my full-time job and raising a family.
Now, a year after opening my first brick and mortar, my little bookshop is expanding again and moving to a space double the size where I can be open regular shopping hours six days a week!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I wouldn’t call it a bumpy road, but maybe rolling hills. My biggest obstacle has been time! I am a one-person shop, so it is open when I can be there. I have a full-time career working shift work and five busy children. There are days when the kids tag along with me to the bookstore, and days when family life demands I take a day off, so my hours do tend to fluctuate. Other than that, I am incredibly grateful for the support my community has shown!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
The Bookery specializes in bringing the community together. From book club, to crafting, to throwing pop-ups with local creators and businesses, the goal is always to bring people together over our love of books and the community.
We stock new releases and trending literature published in the last 10 to 15 years, and the classics with a continuous market. We are proud to search for those hard to find books, and custom ordering is always available.
What sets us apart from other bookstores is our love of collaboration with other businesses. The more businesses unite with one another, the more we both grow. The same goes for all of our independent authors, makers, and micro businesses. We began humbly in our garage and know how hard it is to become known in the community.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
The HNB House in Lebanon is a local vendor-shop that supports community by allowing makers a place to showcase and sell their goods. About six months after I started selling books out of my garage, Rachael, the owner of The HNB House reached out to me and offered me a space in her shop. This space allowed me a wider audience, eventually leading to my storefront.
Now, I am happy to say we will be sharing a building space with The HNB House, once again working side by side as The Bookery grows in a larger space.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Thebookerylebanon.com
- Instagram: https://Instagram.com/thebookerylebanon
- Facebook: https://Facebook.com/thebookerylebanon
