Virginia Hardesty learned that Owensboro is a book-reading town after she started the Silent Book Club last year. Now, through her new business Displaced Pages, she wants to make buying books easier for residents.
Starting this Saturday, Displaced Pages will operate out of T&T Vendors Mall, and Hardesty said they will sell new and used books as an independent bookstore.
Hardesty said that while chain and large bookstores are helpful, she aims to be personable with her customers while returning money to the community.
“Independent bookstores [like mine] are going to be more personable. They are very into the community and being in your corner as far as inclusivity and diversity,” she said.
She said Displaced Pages doesn’t aim to replace large stores or the library. Ultimately, she said, she wants to complement those spaces and allow a direct way for readers to find books they may not be able to elsewhere.
Hardesty noted she can purchase books directly from wholesalers to circumvent retail prices.
“As far as ordering new books from me, right now, people can go to my Facebook page and shoot me a message with a title and the author, and I can procure any book they could possibly dream up,” Hardesty said.
In addition to the collection of new books available, the business will also have used books for sale. Currently, she is selling her books by hunting at second-hand stores and getting them from other people. Hardesty said she is open to exploring ways to receive used books.
In the meantime, she said she plans to find ways to help people connect to the books they love as well as fellow book readers.
“That’s why I think bookstores and book clubs are very important. There are so many people I’ve talked to that I had no idea they even read outside-of-school stuff. So it’s good to get the word out and meet more people with your interests,” Hardesty said.
T&T Vendor Mall is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 12-6 p.m. on Sundays.
