Hurricane Florence Update: Indies Reopen, Recover

As Hurricane Florence continues to drench the Southeast, particularly the Carolinas, many indie booksellers in the region are in the process of reopening and recovering from the severe weather. The Book Industry Charitable Foundation wants booksellers to know that should they need disaster relief during and after Hurricane Florence, Binc is ready to help. E-mail help@bincfoundation.org or call 866-733-9064.

In addition, the American Booksellers Association alerted SIBA booksellers that even though registration for Winter Institute 14 in Albuquerque is opening today, September 17, the ABA is aware that some booksellers may be without power and offered assurance that it has accounted for this possibility and will accommodate stores affected by power outages or other storm-related problems to the best of its ability. If you are in the affected area and cannot register, please contact Daniel O'Brien (Daniel@bookweb.org, 914-406-7514) when you are able.

Here's a sampling of bookseller social media updates from the storm-affected region:

Scuppernong Books quotes King Lear

"Yes! We're open!" Scuppernong Books, Greensboro, N.C., posted on Facebook yesterday as it went all Shakespearian with its sidewalk chalkboard sign.

Downtown Books, Manteo & Duck's Cottage Books, Duck, N.C.: "Our end of the Outer Banks got off pretty lightly with little to no damage from Hurricane Florence being reported as of this posting on Friday afternoon. At this point, Duck's Cottage Coffee & Books plans to reopen at 7 a.m. Saturday, September 15th. Downtown Books is planning on reopening Sunday, September 16, but we may still be pulling down the books! Of course, anything can happen so be sure to stay tuned to our Facebook and Instagram pages for the most current news and updates. We are keeping our neighbors to the south in New Bern, Wilmington, Wrightsville and beyond close to our hearts. Thanks so much for everyone's concern during this time... we truly appreciate your support of both our small businesses. As always, please remember to shop small even when shopping online for both your coffee and reading needs."

My Sister's Books, Pawleys Island, S.C. (Sunday): "We will be OPEN normal business hours, starting tomorrow. Mon-Fri: 10-5 and Sat: 10-3."

Island Bookstore, Outer Banks, N.C. (Sunday--Kitty Hawk and Duck stores open, Corolla closed): "One more day of funky hours and then we're back to business as usual on Monday."

Books to be Red, Ocracoke, N.C. (Friday): "Seems like Ocracoke has done well through the night. I am NOT on the island but friends that stayed have fared well. Other areas have been hit hard and #florence isn't over."

Dee Gee's Gifts and Books, Morehead City, N.C. (Saturday): "As you might have seen, Dee Gees took a big hit in this terrible storm. Initially we were completely devastated and heartbroken, but we are already putting a plan in action, and will hope to put the pieces back together ASAP and be better than before...."

Burry Bookstore, Hartsville, S.C. (Friday): "Hello Hartsville! We will let you know as soon as we are able to return to normal operations! Unfortunately, we will be POSTPONING our Pre-Launch Party with Ann Wallace, but we will keep you updated! Until then we wish everyone a SAFE weekend and hope that you can try to enjoy the rain as much as this little guy!"

Flyleaf Books, Chapel Hill, N.C.: "Flyleaf Books will be having a hurricane party, and by that I mean we'll be open today, Saturday, Sept. 15th from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.! Come say hi, as we keep spirits high and try not to let weather get the best of us. We'll keep you updated here on social media as well as our website..."

Chunk at Country Bookshop

The Country Bookshop, Southern Pines, N.C. (Sunday): "Chunk and I are sorry to say the bookshop will remain closed today due to power outage. We were looking forward to helping you beat the boredom with a great new read. We will open tomorrow at 10 a.m. if power has been restored."

Quail Ridge Books, Raleigh, N.C. (Saturday): "We will be OPEN from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today, as weather allows. Come on in and restock your reading material!"

Page After Page Bookstore, Elizabeth City, N.C. (Saturday): "We are opening today at 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.! Let us add to your stack!!!!"

Litchfield Books, Pawleys Island, S.C. (Sunday): "We hope that all of our customers are safe and ready to read! We will be opening Monday at 10 a.m. Please stop by and say hi."

Diana's Books and More, Elkin, N.C. (Sunday): "With the current weather situation, and the evacuation of parts of Jonesville along the river, we have decided to open on a delay tomorrow. This may change by morning depending on the weather. We are praying that all stay safe!!"

Read With Me, A Children's Book & Art Shop, Raleigh (Sunday): "Looking forward to seeing everyone Monday. We're opening at 10 a.m. & are looking for ways to help our Eastern N.C. families."

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