Dog Eared Books Brings the Independent Bookstore Experience to Edenton
Edenton readers have a new place to browse, discover and talk about books with the arrival of Dog Eared Books , an independent bookstore bringing 11 years of bookselling experience to town.
Owners Carrie and Nick brought Dog Eared Books to Edenton after operating the shop for 11 years in Palmyra, New York, just outside Rochester. Carrie, an avid reader who had already spent 15 years working in the library industry, decided it was time to turn her love and knowledge of books into a business.
It wasn't necessarily the easiest time to open an independent bookstore.
“When we opened in 2015, bookstores were failing at an astronomical rate,” Carrie recalled.
Dog Eared Books survived and developed a loyal following, in part by learning what its customers wanted to read — something Carrie now looks forward to doing all over again in Edenton.
“I know what the people of Palmyra want to buy,” she said. “It's going to be a learning curve to see what the people of Edenton want to buy.”
Fiction is a particular favorite, and the shelves include mystery, fantasy, historical fiction and today's popular genres, along with nonfiction, history and other selections. New books arrive almost daily, and the inventory will continue to evolve based on what Edenton readers are buying and requesting.
The store also carries used books, most of which initially made the trip south from customers in Palmyra. Dog Eared Books purchases used books from customers for cash or offers a larger amount in store credit, giving readers an opportunity to trade a finished book toward their next read.
“We like our used-book experience to feel like the new-book experience,” Carrie explained. “If you can't afford a new book, you can still get a great book at a reasonable price.”
That philosophy extends to young readers. Dog Eared Books carries everything from board books for the youngest children through chapter books and young-adult titles, with used children's books priced at no more than $3.
The bookstore is very much a family affair. Nick helps with the business, while Carrie's mother, Jane , also lends a hand. Jane lives conveniently in the apartment directly above the bookstore, making it easy for her to help when needed.
The shop is already becoming part of Edenton's reading community. The Edenton Book Club is purchasing its selections through Dog Eared Books , and local authors are welcome as well. The store has space devoted to their work, and authors whose books meet the store's guidelines can submit them for consideration through a form on the Dog Eared Books website. The store purchases accepted books rather than taking them on consignment, with the possibility of author signings in the future.
For Edenton, the arrival of Dog Eared Books also represents something increasingly valued by readers: the experience of a true neighborhood bookstore. Independent booksellers offer something an online search can't easily duplicate — a person who listens when you say what you enjoyed last time and can walk you over to a shelf and suggest what you might love next. Small bookstores can become gathering places where readers exchange ideas, children discover the pleasure of choosing their own books and local authors find a place on the shelf.
So far, Carrie and her family are enjoying their new hometown.
“Love the town,” she said. “The people are so welcoming. You have everything here — the weather, the architecture, the water, all these great little shops and the museums.”
And then there is another Edenton attraction they've been diligently exploring.
“The food,” Carrie added. “We're eating our way through one restaurant at a time.”
Dog Eared Books is currently open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The hours may evolve as Carrie and Nick learn the rhythms — and reading habits — of their new hometown. Located at 419 South Broad Street, Edenton
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