“We wanted to take everything that I had learned from these other bookstores that I had worked at and pull out all the good stuff that we liked, but make it more community based,” said Abby Fletcher, part owner and manager of Buy the Book, which opened in February 2022 on Grogans Park Drive.
According to Fletcher, her family was upset over the lack of a local, independently run bookstore for community members to enjoy in The Woodlands area. As a result, the concept of Buy the Book was born—a community-oriented bookstore which could provide an environment in which children and adults can learn.
Family oriented
From trivia nights to book clubs and craft nights, Fletcher said she works to provide a variety of family-friendly events to get children and adults involved at the local level.
“I wanted us to do things in the community. I wanted to be a place that people were like, ‘We go there as a family. We do things there as a family,’” she said.
Not only does the shop allow for a community gathering spot, she said it also provides an outlet for local artists and authors to showcase their work for sale. Lining the shop are paintings created by local artists available for visitors to purchase. In another nook, boxes made by a local teenager contain a book and additional trinkets following the theme of the book.
Book covers, greeting cards, soaps, candles, bookmarks and buttons are all locally made or independently sourced by Fletcher for the store. The books are also donated or sourced, and while Fletcher works to ensure the best books are kept in-store, any books which are too damaged or worn are donated to local charities and causes which can use them, she said.
“It’s been like 12 years now I think that I’ve been putting books in children’s hands ... and it just kind of opens up another world for you,” said Fletcher. “Not just like the world in the book, but the community base of book lovers and ... people that you would never meet.”
Community presence
Buy the Book also has a mascot. Luna, the store’s foster cat, who greets visitors at the door and roams the store, has quickly become an icon, receiving gifts of treats and toys from customers, Fletcher said.
Fletcher said the best part of her day is sharing the world of books with others and providing a window into the worlds and life experiences of others.
“You see another side to things. You get to just be a more open and honest person, I feel, when you are reading because there’s no other way for you to fully experience someone else’s life and pains and triumphs and stuff without really being in their mind,” Fletcher said.
Fletcher said she finds joy in working with local teachers to ensure the class reading assignments are in stock or giving someone their first book.
“I feel the importance of reading is not just like to make yourself smarter, but to make you a more caring person as well,” Fletcher said.
Buy The Book
- 25162 Grogans Park Drive, The Woodlands
- 832-732-5164 www.buythebook-tx.com
- Hours: Mon-Sat. 9 a.m.-•7 p.m.•, Sun. 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
