Literary Appeal

A lack of business following Nightbird Books’ move to the space behind its old location on 205 W. Dickson St. prompted owner Lisa Sharp to post a plea to followers of the store’s Facebook page Nov. 15.

“I’ve spent over eight years working every day to keep the doors open and Nightbird Books is in the worst place financially that I’ve had to work with ever,” Sharp wrote.

Citing issues like ongoing construction at Fayettechill, which took the bookstore’s former spot, and confusion over whether the store was closed, Sharp wrote: “I really need you to shop with us soon if we are going to move forward. Sales have been so slow recently that I’ve been unable to stock for holiday sales yet and a good holiday season is crucial for us.”

A few days after the post, Sharp said she was able to order more books and that business is about 10 times what it was. And although she made it a point not to ask for donations, since the post, people have been making them, and Sharp has felt an outpouring of support.

“The response has been amazing,” she said. “All we needed was for people to come shop.”

Sharp said as long as there is no extreme winter weather during the holiday shopping season, she does not foresee the shop shutting its doors at the end of the year. Only time will tell.