Itinerant Literate Books to open storefront

Listen to this article

The mobile bookstore Itinerant Literate Books is preparing to open a storefront in Park Circle after three years of selling books on the road.

The bookstore will open at 4824 Chateau Ave., the former site of both Orange Spot Coffee and Roadside Blooms, later this month.

“When we first heard the space would be available, we couldn’t believe our good luck,” co-owner Julia Turner said in a statement. “We had always daydreamed about what a great space it would be for a bookstore.”

Turner and co-owner Christen Thompson began selling books at pop-up events in 2015. They used funds raised in an Indiegogo campaign to buy a recreational vehicle on Craigslist and officially launch their bookstore-on-wheels.

Itinerant Literate has sold books at farmers markets and neighborhood stops throughout the Lowcountry, but the bulk of the bookstore’s stops have been in Park Circle, according to a news release.

“We made great friendships and business relationships with several of the business owners in the area,” Turner said. “It just made sense that we would eventually locate our storefront in this area.”

The co-owners plan to host programming for children and adults at the store on a daily basis.

“It’s always been the goal to create a space for our community centered around books, reading and learning,” Thompson said in the news release.

The bookmobile will continue operation outside of the Park Circle neighborhood, according to the news release.

A grand opening party at the store is planned for July 21, starting at 10 a.m.