Scuppernong Books - Greensboro, NC

Scuppernong Books - Greensboro, NC

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Ok readers, I see how you're looking at me (I'm not talking about the North Carolinians!).  That look that says, "What the hell is a scuppernong?"  A scuppernong is a grape indigenous to North Carolina and is the state fruit.  According to Steve M., one of the co-owners, everyone would have had some scuppernongs at grandma's or maybe some of her scuppernong wine.  But now scuppernong is also a bookstore.  I've been to lots of Book Marks, Book Worms, Book This and Thats, but never a scuppernong.  Not only is the name unique, so is the store.

After visiting with Steve, the word that comes to mind for me about  Scuppernong Books is versatile.  This place can really do it all.  They have a wonderful cafe in the front of the store where you can have a coffee, soup or sandwich, beer or wine (if you drink liberally it will be easier to buy several books).  They have a comfortable and roomy events space at the back of the store for their frequent author events.  They've also hosted high school reunions, bridal showers, and wedding receptions, great ways to bring people into the store.  Additionally, they have a weekly trivia night and frequently have live music.  Good grief, how could it get any better?  Oh yeah, they've got lots of books.

This is a small room located at the front of the store.  It's out of the way and you won't have customers tripping over you.  Let the romance begin.  

Scuppernong sells both new and used books and the new are about 80% of the inventory.  The poetry section is particularly strong here thanks to Brian, one of the co-owners.  Romance readers will be disappointed to find none of those books here and the store is thin with mystery titles.  But you'll still be able to find romance here if you look carefully.  They don't buy used books but instead are able to simply find them, another one of Brian's talents.

Scuppernong Books is one of the new indies on the scene, not even 2 years old.  It's located in downtown Greensboro and is hoping their timing is right to catch the upswing in the downtown revival.  Many indies have one book buyer but at Scuppernong, all of the staffers are able to buy books for the store.  Everyone is also VERSATILE in their responsibilities to work anywhere in the store, cafe, or books.  If you drive here you can find free parking on the street or a public pay lot in the same block.  Either option makes it a short walk.

Steve was great to talk to during my visit and patiently told me all kinds of things about the staff, the store, and the community.  If you're in the Greensboro or triad region of North Carolina and haven't been here yet, you're totally missing out.  Grab some coffee or wine, grab a book, get cozy in one of their comfy seats and enjoy an experience that you'll want to repeat here often.  Go to an indie and buy a book.  Bonsoir.

JUST FINISHED:  Guests On Earth, Lee Smith.  A mix of fact and fiction about a woman patient in an insane asylum in Asheville, NC.  Story revolves around her time spent there, her life's struggles, and the real life tragedy of the Highland Hospital in 1948.  One of the characters is Zelda Fitzgerald, wife of F. Scott Fitzgerald, who was a patient at the hospital.  The book grew on me.

CURRENTLY READING:  The Devil's Highway, Luis Alberto Urrea.

An active events calendar posted in a front window.  

An excellent front window display.  

View looking through the store from the front entrance.  You can see a portion of the cafe on the right.  

Looking for a bargain?  Find one in this section.  

Two of the attractive book displays here.  

Scuppernong serves wine and beer.  

Another view looking through the store and two of the tables in the cafe area.  

A nice view of the cafe, located to the right after entering the store.  

A portion of the section of local authors and local interests.  

A portion of the children's section.  

A few of the greeting cards available.  

These are drinking fountains in a bookstore.  They have bathrooms AND drinking fountains.  I can't remember seeing drinking fountains in a bookstore so I got the photographic proof at Scuppernong.  VERSATILE!

They have a fantastic events space in the back of the store.  Also, lots of wonderful comfortable seating.  

These used books are in the back space used for events.  

View looking from the back of the store toward the front.  

At least pretend to be reading when you sit on this couch.  

A few of the staff picks.  

A portion of the poetry section, one of the store's strengths.  

With Steve M. on the right, one of the co-owners.  Thanks for a great visit.