Morgantown has a large and passionate community of readers — enough to support a bevy of bookstores, including two large chains and many smaller specialty shops. The reading community is not known for moderation when acquiring books. So, naturally, there was a lot of excitement when rumors began circulating on social media earlier this summer about the impending addition of an independent bookstore to Morgantown’s portfolio of booksellers.
In June, resident Lindsey Jacobs shared an online survey to assess Morgantown readers’ preferences for an indie bookshop in the works. Questions included everything from where the shop should be located to favorite brands of coffee. I, for one, have been holding my breath ever since I submitted the form.
I could finally exhale early this week when Jacobs made it official. She plans to open her shop, Monkey Wrench Books, later this fall. According to a Facebook post (facebook.com/monkeywrenchbookswv), “MWB will be a place to share ideas, spark debate, and build community.” The post also elucidated the shop’s name. Jacobs intends to “throw a wrench in the gears of billionaire-backed bookselling and the narratives that paint West Virginia as a throw-away place.” Within six hours of the original Facebook post, MWB was closing in on 1,000 followers.
Jacobs found a home for her shop in the Brock, Reed and Wade buildings, 214 High St., and plans to stock gifts in addition to new and used books. And, of course, what would bookworm nirvana be without coffee and tea? Thanks to the survey, Jacobs knows her audience well.
The wait until the grand opening this fall feels interminable, but book lovers can console themselves by supporting the fledgling shop. Jacobs teased more updates and information about fundraisers set to appear on the shop’s socials and encouraged readers to follow the journey.
EVA MURPHY is a freelance business writer for The Dominion Post. She writes a column on businesses, churches and other entities in the city. To suggest a topic, email her at Newsroom@DominionPost.com.
