Columbus Celebrates the Heart and Soul of Its Community: Friendly City Books Wins Statewide Award!
Columbus is buzzing with excitement as Friendly City Books has just snagged a prestigious statewide award! This beloved local bookstore, known for its lively community events and generous book giveaways, has been honored with the Humanities Partner Award from the Mississippi Humanities Council. This award recognizes organizations that make a significant cultural impact in their communities.
Shining a Light on Literature
Founded in 2020, Friendly City Books isn’t just your average bookstore. The founder made a bold move, leaving a career in Washington, D.C. to dive into the world of independent bookselling, all inspired by a desire to enrich Columbus’ cultural scene. “A community that reads is a healthier community,” is a belief that fosters curiosity and empathy, creating a tapestry of fellowship among residents from all walks of life.
A Community Affair
What makes Friendly City Books stand out? Their commitment to fostering community spirit through a variety of activities! The bookstore has collaborated with notable partners like the Columbus Municipal School District, Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science, and the American Legion to bring enriching experiences to the community. They’ve even set their sights on offering workshops for budding young poets in partnership with Mississippi Poet Laureate Catherine Pierce.
The Big Move and New Beginnings
As if winning an award wasn’t enough, Friendly City Books is gearing up for a big move! They’re relocating from their Fifth Street spot to a new, spacious location on 423 Main St.. The store will temporarily close on Christmas Eve but will be reopening in the New Year! The new space will feature an open layout for activities and a comfortable reading nook, all based on community requests. “We’re going to have more room for activities and events,” is an enthusiastic promise for the future.
Fostering Young Minds
In an enchanting display of community engagement, the bookstore hosted an event that welcomed over 250 kindergarteners. Kids got to meet songwriter Steve Azar and illustrator Sarah Francis Hardy, and they generously distributed 300 copies of their book about Mississippi’s new state song. Heartwarming initiatives like these have put Friendly City Books on the map!
A Festival of Words
Let’s not forget about the amazing Possum Town Bookfest! Helped meticulously put together by the bookstore, this first-time event attracted over 1,000 visitors and featured over 50 authors. The event, organized in collaboration with the Columbus Arts Council, truly showcased the strength of the local literary community.
The Future Looks Bright
With the bookstore expanding its charity work, there are plans to transform Friendly City Books into an official nonprofit organization in the near future. This visionary approach ensures that the bookstore will continue to serve the Columbus community “for generations to come.”
