This Southern Bookstore Is a Hidden Gem
It’s easy to feel welcome in a bookstore, but visitors to Thomasville, Georgia’s The Bookshelf experience something more—they feel completely at home.
Upon stepping into the bright, bookshelf-lined space located on downtown Thomasville’s South Broad Street, visitors are charmed. Some will be drawn into the impeccably curated shelves, while others will want to browse the vibrant selection of magazines and literary journals. Still others will settle in near the front of the shop for a game of chess. The youngest of the group will experience wide-eyed delight at the children’s section—a cozy space perfect for falling in love with books again and again.
Owner Annie B. Jones took the helm at The Bookshelf in 2013 and, alongside her tireless team, has shaped an exciting roster of events and offerings—all of which are accompanied by the warmest of welcomes. Workshops, story times for kids, literary luncheons, author signings, book club knitting nights, and a book-a-month subscription service for adults and kids are just a few of the ways the store connects community members not only with books they will love, but also with others who share their interests. The Bookshelf has become a veritable community center propelled by an enthusiasm for books and the people who love them.
The heart of the shop is, of course, in the stacks. The selection—of books across the genres, of literary-themed accessories, of beautiful cards and papers—is teeming with treasures to uncover. One corner showcases shelves dedicated to staff recommendations, all of which are consistently thoughtful and wide-ranging. The shop and its book-minded staff are in the business of sparking conversations and cultivating community through books.
If you find yourself in Thomasville or anywhere nearby, you should make The Bookshelf your first stop. In the meantime, browse the website, read the blog, subscribe to the shop’s From the Front Porch podcast, and follow The Bookshelf on Facebook and Instagram. When you do, you’ll be immersed in the good cheer of books, wonderful of-the-moment recommendations, and exciting events—the world of a bookstore that loves its books and its customers in equal measure. Get to know The Bookshelf online or in person, and it becomes evident: Every day is a special day at this South Georgia bookstore.
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Does your town have a beloved independent bookstore? What Southern bookstores do you love to visit?
