Name: Sally Sue Lavigne

Position: Owner

Store and location: The Storybook Shoppe,  41 Calhoun Street, Bluffton, SC 29910

The store is located in the heart of historic Old Town Bluffton.

Social Media Stats (FB likes, Twitter followers, etc):

Instagram: @storybookshoppe 526 Followers
Facebook: facebook.com/Storybookshoppe 4032 Followers
Website: www.thestorybookshoppe.com

Link to your store’s press kit: We don't have one created yet

Events and buyer contact info:

Sally Sue Lavigne
843-757-2600 shop
843-263-8156 cell

sallysue@thestorybookshoppe.com 

Number of years as a bookseller: 5 years selling books, 15 years before promoting books in the school library as the Substitute Librarian

Best part about being a bookseller?: Watching a child light up when you help them choose a book they are excited to read. I also love getting to witness a child's growth from beginning reader to book lover. 

What book(s) are you reading?:

Root Magic by Eden Royce
The Library Book by Susan Orleans
All Together Now: A Newfoundlander's Light Tales for Heavy Times by Alan Doyle
Daisies For Innocence by Bailey Catrell

Favorite handsell of 2020:

The Dragon Warrior by Katie Zhao

This fantastic adventure features a 12-year-old who overcomes being marginalized by her community to become a hero. This novel combines Chinese folklore, adventure and fantasy.

Best thing you did this year at your store:

Dragon Drop monthly book subscription. This subscription is simultaneously the best and worst thing we did this year. The best because it introduced The Storybook Shoppe to 155 new customers. The worst because we were very unprepared for how many subscriptions would be sold. When a customer asked for the service, I thought we could do this. There will be only two dozen families in our neighborhood who might be interested. We were shocked to have 89 subscriptions within 48 hours. Almost a year later we have settled into a rhythm for packing and sending and have maintained 60 ongoing subscriptions.

What are some ways you work with your community?

My favorite partnership is with the Bluffton Fire and Police Departments. Each year for the last 4 years we have hosted Local Heroes Storytime, as a part of our Children's Book Week celebrations. The event features readings by firefighters and Police officers, K-9 unit demonstrations, vehicle tours, and fire safety lessons. The event is attended by students in pre-k through 1st grade from our neighborhood elementary schools, neighborhood preschools and members of the public. We typically host over 200 attendees at the 2 hour event.

Each November we hold a Pajama drive to benefit CAPA Beaufort. The pajamas collected are matched with a book. Each child receives new jammies and a bedtime story. We also donate books to the children living in the CAPA shelter throughout the year.

Where's Waldo remains a favorite activity of both Merchants and community members.

Do you have passions that carry over into your bookselling life?

Collecting children's books. I have always loved the brilliant stories, wit and wisdom that can be found in a children's book.

What e-commerce platform are you using, and why did you choose it?

We have a shop on Bookshop.org. I have never really wanted to be in e-commerce as I enjoy the one on one aspect of hand selling books, however 2020 made it essential to have some online aspect of book selling. Bookshop works best for me.

Top priority for 2021: Professional development. I want to learn how to effectively use Edelweiss, as well as host a virtual event or two.

Favorite SIBA programming benefit: Having a community to turn to for advice, information and camaraderie. Office Hours have been a lifeline through the ever changing business environment of 2020.