Finding a permanent location for her bookstore hasn't been the easiest thing Susan Murphy has ever done. Now that
Pages Bookshop has found a home on Grand River Avenue, however, Murphy can focus on establishing her business as a community hub for both the neighborhood and the region's literary set.
Pages Bookshop, located at 19560 Grand River Ave. in the Detroit's Grandmont Rosedale neighborhood, is celebrating its new location with a grand opening party on Saturday, May 2. The event is free and open to the public.
After nearly two years of bouncing between different pop-up locations and touring a number of less-than-suitable storefronts, Murphy connected with the Grandmont Rosedale Development Corporation, which set her up with 19560 Grand River. Murphy has been busy painting and focusing on creating a welcoming environment, one with reading nooks and tables and chairs. She says that sometimes bookstores can seem intimidating and it's her goal to make Pages a place where people can walk in and immediately be comfortable.
"Reading made a big difference in my life. Even though reading can be a solitary experience, ideas and books can bring communities together," says Murphy. "I hope this becomes more than a bookshop."
In addition to the new fiction, non-fiction, and local books she carries, Murphy hopes to draw people to Pages through author readings and other events. She's been working with local literary groups 826 Michigan and Wayne State University Press. Murphy has also been reaching out to a number of publishers, hoping to establish Detroit as a destination for touring authors.
On Thursday, April 30, she hosted one such author, Angela Flournoy.
The grand opening celebration occurs Saturday, when, beginning at 10 a.m., Pages will officially open its doors to the public with raffles, food, wine, appearances and readings by three authors, and a performance from local bluesman Luther "Badman" Keith. Saturday is also Independent Bookstore Day, in which Pages will be taking part. That nationwide event celebrates independent bookstores by offering books published exclusively for the occasion.
Pages Bookshop officially opens at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 2.
Source: Susan Murphy, owner of Pages Bookshop
Writer: MJ Galbraith
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