Photo above courtesy of Plenty On Spring Bookstore.
Flooding caused extensive damage to the store and damage to over a thousand books
Cookeville – On April 29, many will celebrate independent bookstore day. For local Cookeville bookstore Plenty on Spring, the day will launch a different kind of independence as they turn the page on one chapter and start afresh.
The local small business will relocate from 35 West Spring Street to 48 West Broad Street in Cookeville before reopening May 12. Flooding and recurring issues with the underground water system forced the move, according to a release by Plenty On Spring.
Flooding – Plenty On Spring was forced to relocate due to recurring flooding.
The issue caused extensive damage to the store and damage to over a thousand books, but throughout the struggles Plenty on Spring management says they felt nothing but love and support.
“We feel so loved and supported by our little bookshop community,” says store manager Ashley Michael. “You have helped us and encouraged us in so many ways, little and big – from alphabetizing books to starting book clubs, setting up for events, and even now many of you want to help us box up books for the move! What a treasure to have a community and family like this- we can’t wait to continue it all with you on Broad Street!”
Following a week of celebrations culminating April 29, the move will be official, but not before the bookstore transforms itself, both literally and figuratively.
“The bookshop will be transformed into Wonderland, and it’s staff the famous Lewis Carroll characters,” said Plenty On Spring plans for independent bookstore day. “There will be specially themed sweets available for purchase from The French Cookie and Jamie’s Eats and Sweets for the occasion, as well as an exclusive Golden Ticket giveaway for a year of free audiobooks.”
The bookstore, a registered nonprofit, has had a strong community response since opening in October with memberships, enthusiastic workshop and book club participation.
“Through our manufacturing work with Franklin Fixtures where we make shelves for bookstores, Lisa (Uhrik), and I have a front-row seat to the difference small bookshops across the country are making,” said co-founder Dave Uhrik. “We wanted to add to the other great things going on in our downtown.”
Plenty On Spring says the move to Broad Street will find a similar feel and collaborative neighbors.
“This was such a tough decision,” said co-founder Lisa Uhrik. “We love the Spring Street space and didn’t want to leave our good neighbors in the great Arts District that is developing. But the water issue is right in front of our door and can’t be resolved quickly. We plan to continue to partner with businesses there with events.”
Ashley Michael says the store is excited to be moving next to Jamie’s Eats & Sweets, Glass Tangerine and across from Mission 931, Harper’s Rare Books & Collectibles and the reopening Backroom Bistro.
“All of our new neighbors, along with the great restaurants, will work well with the new books we have at Plenty,” said Michael. “Already, we’ve had such good support. Emma Crabtree at Glass Tangerine helped us create a new brand and look, Jamie Lankford is offering supportive discounts at Jamie’s Eats & Sweets for people who show their purchases from Plenty and Lewis Matheney at Harper’s was actively supporting us in taking the space he had cultivated as Harper’s Soundstage before he started expanding across the street.”
The move will come with a new, but familiar, designation. Plenty On Spring will be dubbed “Plenty.” After the celebration, Plenty will be closed May 1 before a grand reopening targeted for May 12.
“The store will continue to feature a curated selection of new books and bookish gifts for all ages, as well as small group, author, book club and reading events,” according to the release.
As for the flooding issues? The City Council and public works department say it’s complicated. Lisa Uhrik is focusing on solving the problem so the next business won’t be drowning in problems.
“We hope to continue to bring attention to the water issue on Spring Street so that new businesses can thrive there,” said Lisa Uhrik. “Luke Eldridge and the City Council, as well as our own Public Works department, have been actively supportive and recognize that it will be complicated to resolve, involving the state and multiple entities. It will take sustained focus and some time for this to be fixed and hopefully, in the interim, we can continue to support and build all the downtown businesses through collaboration.”
For more information email info@plentyonspring.com or contact Lisa Uhrik at 931-252-6931.
Photos courtesy of Plenty On Spring.
