chh@heraldsun.com; 918-1035
HILLSBOROUGH -- People have said to me, 'This is the dumbest thing I've ever heard,'" said Sharon Wheeler, owner of Purple Crow Books, a new bookstore set to open off Churton Street Nov. 19.
The idea of opening a bookstore not only in the age of Borders and Barnes & Noble, but in an era when even the superstores are threatened by new media such as the Amazon Kindle, struck co-founder Dee Hamilton enough to suggest their store be called The Anachronist.
Wheeler and Hamilton eventually decided the name was too strong, and on a drive into town the phrase "purple crow books" appeared in Hamilton's mind.
"I think it flows," said Wheeler, "but I also found out that the crow is a symbol of crossroads and redirection, and purple, of course, represents strength. So together the bookstore is a symbol of new beginnings."
Wheeler, in a purple sweater and purple eyeglass frames, explained that her husband died two years ago and, after retiring from her position as an elementary school guidance counselor, she felt it necessary to do the things she would regret not doing at the end of her own life.
"Opening a small, private bookstore has always been a dream of mine," she said. "It's not about the money. If we break even I'll consider it a success. It's about following your dreams."
The other reason to open a bookstore now is Hillsborough itself, "a town that loves to read," said Wheeler.
"I wouldn't undertake this anywhere but Hillsborough," she said, noting the town sees 10,000 tourists a year, many looking for books signed by Hillsborough's native writers.
The evening of Purple Crow Book's grand opening, author Michael Malone will be on hand to sign copies of his latest novel, "The Four Corners of the Sky."
Books by local authors will be the focus of the first room in Purple Crow Books, still in the process of being painted and carpeted.
A second, adjoining room will feature children's titles, a passion of both Wheeler's and Hamilton's and the subject that brought them together.
Hamilton, a gardening columnist, has written her own children's book and hopes the store can show off the underestimated creativity in children's picture books.
While working in elementary schools, Wheeler became a proponent of a concept called "bibliotherapy," whereby children come to terms with problems in their own life by identifying with fictional characters that have similar problems.
It's a process Wheeler has adapted for her own reading, writing her name, the date and what's going on in her life in every book she owns, as well as keeping a journal of favorite passages.
"I read constantly," she said, "maybe three to four books a week. A big part of opening this store is the chance to talk about books. And now everything I read is a tax deduction."
Wheeler and Hamilton have their work cut out for them in the coming weeks, correcting book orders and measuring shelves, but each is optimistic, happy to be crossing a dream off a list and unafraid of the Amazon Kindle.
Meet your Merchants NAME: Purple Crow Books
ADDRESS: 109 W. King St., Hillsborough
PRODUCT: Used and new books
ESTABLISHED: 2009
OWNER: Sharon Wheeler
WEB SITE: www.purplecrowbooks.com
