
Ellen Plumb City’s Bookstore, 1122 Commercial St., is celebrating its one-year anniversary since opening Sept. 6, 2016. To commemorate the event, the store is promoting literacy organizations.
“What we’re doing this year is offering a discount for any books that are purchased to donate to literary type organizations,” said Marcia Lawrence, owner of the store.
The discount is 12 percent off for all books donated, since the store has been opened for 12 months. The effort is meant to pay it forward.
“I have suggestions if people can’t think of an organization or can’t decide (on one to donate to),” Lawrence said. “Some of the big ones are Plumb Place, Kansas Masonic Literacy Center, Lyon County History Center. . . ”
The bookstore is also debuting a new feature. Starting this week, the store will allow people to reserve a lounging place in the storefront window.
“We’re recording a Chamber of Commerce member minute,” Lawrence said. “On Saturday, we’ll be recording a Facebook live event with Harper Collins Publishers.”
Water damages required the bookstore to move locations last month, which took the focus off the plans for the anniversary.
“Our anniversary plans are actually a lot smaller than they would have been had circumstances been a little different,” Lawrence said.
Author Jerilyn Henrikson had praise for Ellen Plumb’s City Bookstore. She expressed joy at how Lawrence helps support and promote her work in the bookstore.
“I’m really glad that this place is here, for one thing,” said Lindsey Bartlett, English instructor. “She’s really made this an all-inclusive place that’s comfortable for people to come, and it’s become sort of a safe space for a lot of individuals as well.”
The discounted books donated to literacy organizations are expected to continue for about a week but perhaps longer if people are still interested in carrying out this effort.
“We’ll be making book plates to put in the books that say ‘donated by person ABC to organization XYZ, honoring Ellen Plumb’s first anniversary,” Lawrence said.