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Home > Archive > Aug 23, 2007

A Cellar-full of Goodwill
By Cami Cox
Staff Writer
They say the first year is the hardest for an independent business owner, but a local bookstore officially passed its first-year mark Aug 14, and business is still going strong.
In league with surrounding merchants, The Book Cellar, at 130 N. Main in St. George, hosts regular events for the community, from women's seminars, film screenings and lectures to such colorful entertainment as belly dancing, magic shows and professional storytelling. They've even begun hosting language gatherings for individuals who want to stay fluent in foreign languages like Italian, Spanish and German and who wish to connect with others who speak those languages.
“We're just trying to be part of the community and provide a service, something different for people to do,” co-owner Margi La Porte said. “All of our events are free. We don't charge people.”
The basement area that houses The Book Cellar, Andrae Exotic Imports and O'D-Von Studios has become a local gathering place for St. George residents, tourists and anyone looking for an event to attend or a place to hang out.
In addition to the community events (The Book Cellar and Andrae host four or more each month), The Book Cellar, along with individuals from the other businesses, set up a refreshment table each day in the common area where they all converge, providing drinks and snacks for anyone who comes in. They've also set up free Internet access for anyone who wishes to use it, and a community art wall has been instituted, as well, where local artists, novice or accomplished, may display their artwork.
In The Book Cellar, La Porte goes the extra mile to make her patrons comfortable. She provides home-baked treats for customers, in addition to the other refreshments available to them in the common area, and has placed seats around, both inside and outside The Book Cellar, where anyone can relax if they wish to.
“We would just like it to be a place where people feel comfortable hanging out, whether they buy something or not,” La Porte said. “Hopefully, you'll feel comfortable just curling up on the floor and reading, if you want to. I just think that there's a need for that. People feel like they're at home, to some degree.”
The Book Cellar also strives to support community organizations. Through August, anyone who brings in a can of food will receive a free paperback from the shop, La Porte said, and the food items are then donated to the Dixie Care & Share. She works with other local agencies, as well, to help them in any way she can.
The overall aim at The Book Cellar, apart from selling the used books, new works by local authors and the variety of antiques stocked there, is to provide an open, positive environment for everyone who comes by, whether they're buying, browsing or just taking a break from their day.
“What we try to do is kind of reach out with what's going on in the community and be a part of it,” La Porte said. “The whole idea is just to come in and relax. Pick up a book, take it out in the hall, sit down and read it. I just think that there's a need for that. People feel like they're at home, to some degree.”
Though being so involved with the community wasn't in the initial plans when The Book Cellar opened a year ago, Vermont native La Porte said hosting the events, interacting with community members and meeting the many lecturers and entertainers who come to the gatherings has been a wonderful experience.
“We've really been fortunate this year. Not only is the community starting to understand who we are and what we're trying to do and reaching out to us, but we've gotten to meet some very amazing people,” she said. “Most of them do it (participate in the events) because they want to reach out to the community, too.”
Though just a year old, The Book Cellar seems to have been around forever – at least, that's what customers tell La Porte. Providing a comfortable, welcoming atmosphere that feels like home is just what she has aimed for, and so far, community members and other visitors have responded warmly to that.
“It's been fantastic,” La Porte said. “The community's been great. They've really reached out to us, and we get a lot of support from the community.”
To join an events mailing list or for information about upcoming events hosted by The Book Cellar and Andrae Exotic Imports, contact La Porte by email, info@sgbookcellar.com, or call The Book Cellar, 652-0227.

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