A Humble Opening in the Books: Happy Medium Books Café opens in Riverside
It was a humble opening for Riverside’s newest independent new and used bookshop.
Happy Medium Books Café officially opened its doors on Saturday, Aug. 12, and for owner Annie Pagett, it was a dream come true.
“I just can’t believe we actually did it,” she said, tearing up as she watched people browse her shelves and order bites and beverages from her café.
Pagett opened the bookstore not only to bring joy to herself and her family, but to give back to the community. The Happy Medium Books Café will pledge a portion of new book sales, donated quarterly, to a local Jacksonville nonprofit charity.
Pagett runs the store with her mother, Daisy Caez, and her daughter, Callista Harding-Pagett.
Happy Medium Books Café’s inventory is roughly 80% used books and 20% new, with an initial focus on underrepresented authors for its new book inventory. Pagett will also be launching three book clubs: a youth book club for children and young readers, a general book club and a wine book club, for which she will collaborate with her upstairs neighbor, Kathryn’s Wines. The three clubs will be open to everyone, though participants interested in the wine book club must be 21 or over.
Pagett provides regular updates on the store’s events and other goings-on through its Instagram account, @happy_medium_books.
“I’m really excited, and I really hope that the community embraces us and they continue to follow along,” she said.
Happy Medium Books Café is located at 2724 Park Street. Its hours are Tuesday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Sunday, noon to 4 p.m.
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