November 10, 2019

An Award Winning Indie Bookstore in Vermont


The Flying Pig Bookstore opened in 1996 in a tiny square building that had once been the old post office in Charlotte, Vermont (population 3,500). In 2006, when our "towers of knowledge" (aka stacks of books on the floor) made it clear that we'd outgrown our building, we moved to Shelburne Village (population 5,000) into a space almost twice as big. Over the years, we've had an incredible bookselling staff, amazing visiting authors, and lots of creative, fun events. We've been honored with the Lucille Micheels Pannell Award for Best Children's Bookstore in the country (2008), a handselling award from Candlewick Press, two "best of" awards from Yankee Magazine, and The Wall Street Journal chose us as one of seven bookstores around the country that help serve as anchors for their wonderful towns. We feel so lucky to be part of our vibrant reading community and to play a small part in the lives of our many customers. 

WHY THE NAME?
Originally planned as a children's bookstore, co-founders Elizabeth Bluemle and Josie Leavitt wanted a name that was welcoming, with child appeal and whimsy. Elizabeth had always loved the name of Pennywhistle Toys in New York City, and wanted to find something equally inviting. On a drive one day, the name "Flying Pig" popped into her head, and it immediately fit. The symbol of impossible dreams come true, the flying pig is the perfect representative for a little independent bookstore flapping into the challenging headwinds of commerce and somehow staying aloft.
Visit the website here: https://www.flyingpigbooks.com/
Or even better for the comforting Vermont feel, stop at the store: 5247 Shelburne Road, Shelburne, VT  802-985-3999
Not far from the bookstore is a restaurant that looks like it has some delicious food:  The Bearded Frog https://www.thebeardedfrog.com/
Three of my favorite things to do—travel, eat, read! 
Check Vermont out this week. 
(all info downloaded from listed websites)

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