Tim Grant in front of The Book Cellar at Carr Mill. Photo by Kirk Ross
By Kirk Ross
Staff Writer
Tim Grant hasn’t been behind the counter of The Book Cellar for all of its 22 years of operation, but he knows that as he prepares to close the store, it’s the end of an era in his little corner of Carr Mill.
Grant has managed the shop for three years, taking over from longtime owner Pat Wall, who retired a few years back. The shop opened its doors in 1985, and visitors for the past couple of decades may recall the stacks of romance and mystery novels packed to the rafters.
“For years, it was what it was,†Grant said. And many of the longtime clientele still returned to the shop to stock up on the paperbacks that were its stock and trade for so many years.
But Grant, who confesses a particular fondness for the Southern authors of this region, says when he took the space over he tried to diversify the shop. “I wanted to open it up a bit and have a space for readings,†Grant said.
And while there was some success, the basics of business made keeping the store open impossible.
“I’ve got a flea market inventory and Madison Avenue rent,†Grant said. “I’ve had a good run with it. But I had to take a hard look at things.â€
With plans to close the doors after September 1 and a half-price sale fueling purchases, the shop is starting to empty out a bit. Still, the selections on the shelves give you an indication of the wide-ranging tastes of the patrons. There’s plenty of romance, travel, mysteries and military histories, of course, but also Best Dog Writing and The Cluetrain Manifesto. I Survived Academia is shelved a few inches from The Scarlet Letter, and stacks of old Norman Rockwell paintings, custom-made bookmarks and postcards are on display near the checkout.
What he’ll miss most, Grant said, is that connection with the regulars.
“He’s wonderful,†Trinna Vaughan said of Grant after she took a look at recent additions to his postcard collection. “He’s the best salesman I’ve ever met. He’s been a friend right from the start.â€
Her mother, Barbara Vaughan, added that she’s especially appreciative that Grant has kept a lookout for her for John Grisham novels.
“Oh, yes,†Grant chimed in, and told the story of recently sorting through a box of books a customer brought in to trade. In the box was an almost new hardback copy of Grisham’s latest.
“We usually have to wait until they come out in paperback before a copy comes in, but there it was. I called Mrs. Vaughan up and told her ‘I got it.’â€
That’s the kind of small-town merchant experience he’s going to miss — but maybe not for long.
Grant, who lives in Carrboro, is collaborating with an artist friend who wants to open a gallery in Durham that may allow him some bookstore space as well.
One regret he’ll leave with is that his idea of a Carrboro shop that sells the latest titles by the authors of this area and eclectic used items didn’t take off.
“Carrboro,†he said, “really needs a new bookstore — one that sells new and used books and one that really has a focus on local authors.â€
I was sorry to read about The Book Cellar’s closing on The Carrboro Citizen website. It has always been one of my required destinations when visiting the area from my home in Boone. Not mentioned in the story, but most probably a factor in the store’s closing, is the proliferation of new and used books being sold via the Internet. While I’ve done a bit of book shopping on the net, nothing compares to scanning the titles on the shelves of a real down to earth used book store looking for that one great find. I sincerely hope that places that sell used books, records, CDs, etc. can continue to find affordable places to rent in great college towns such as Carrboro, Chapel Hill and Boone.
All the best Kirk!
Jeff Eason
222 Welcome Way
Boone, NC 28607