By Crystal McGough, Editor
TRUSSVILLE – Trussville has a new business officially open and prepared to fill a niche unlike anything else on this side of town. Offering “everything paper,” from stationary and greeting cards to puzzles and books, Bookmarked Paperie, located at 107 Kay Avenue, Trussville, opened to the public on Friday, Nov. 3, with a ribbon cutting ceremony held on the morning of Wednesday, Oct. 8.
(Credit: Bookmarked Paperie)
“It all kind of came about because there’s nothing here that has paper and books,” said Beth Seeley, who co-owns the store with her mother Dana Weimer. “We are avid readers, so it’s kind of a way for us to dive into something that we really love. Between the two of us, we have 50 years of retail experience at all levels, from small business to corporate.”
Seeley has lived in Trussville with her family for four years, and for even longer, her friends and family have encourage her and her mother to start a business of their own.
Now, the two women decided, is the perfect time to take that leap forward.
“Trussville is growing and you have to go into Mountain Brook or Crestwood to really get something like what we are wanting to offer,” Seeley said. “We have everything paper – that’s kind of been our tagline. We have wrapping paper and gift tags and some ribbon, but we also offer a variety of notebooks and journals, and anything that you would find on your desk. Fun erasers, rulers, various pens – from super fun and colorful to maybe a little more serious, like really nice ball point pens – along with books of nonfiction, fiction, cookbooks, coffee table (books), also layered in with some puzzles.”
Bookmarked Paperie also offers what Seeley called “found items,” including trinket trays and other various novelty items.
“Pretty much everything in our store, furniture included, is for sale,” she said. “Obviously, the person who’s coming in for a $10 notebook might not be the same person wanting to buy a $200 oak table, but everything has a price tag. Again, this was kind of a way for my mom and I to have fun. We really like antiques and finding and restoring where we can, and wanting to bring in that reusable element. Not everything has to be brand new and we want things to feel layered and lived in and not just stark and bright white all the time.”
(Credit: Bookmarked Paperie)
Seeley said that additional furniture not displayed in the store will be posted on their website for local pickup, which should be going live by the end of this week.
“We’re going to constantly be looking and antiquing,” she said. “We have family all over the country, so when we travel we’re always seeing what we can find. We’re just kind of crazy enough to get in the car and go get a table that’s three plus hours away if the price is right.”
While some pieces of furniture are refinished and second-hand, some are also brand new.
The store’s cash wrap area has a special significance, with the center piece being an old candy case that came from a general store owned by Dana Weimer’s uncle in the 1907s.
“It’s the first thing you will see when you open up the door coming in,” Seeley said. “That may be the only piece that’s not for sale. It was really important for us to have that as this full-circle moment, because my mom actually worked in that general store. So, it’s been a part of the start of her retail life in a way. It’s a really big defining piece of who we are.”
While they certainly offer things one may desire for an office space, Bookmarked Paperie is no Staples or Office Depot. Neither are they a traditional bookstore. This unique establishment takes on a life of its own with a style that Seeley describes as “clean and classic.”
“If maybe you work in a lawyer’s office, you’re going to find something here that’s going to be elegant on your desk. Or if you’re a teacher, a fun, quirky pen to grade your papers with,” Seeley said. “I do feel like we’re trying to be cognizant of offering something for everyone, but it doesn’t just have to be a boring black pen. It can still have your own personality to it.”
(Credit: Bookmarked Paperie)
Bookmarked Paperie is also not just a store for adults trying to breathe new life into their workspace. The shop, which formerly was a house, has a whole room dedicated specifically to children.
“For the most part, everything we offer for adults, there is a kid’s version, as well,” Seeley said. “We have a whole kid room that’s painted different colors. This was originally a house, so we turned the closet into a reading nook. There’s a bench in there and my cousin painted a massive tree. The idea is that kids can get a book and sit in there and read, and it’s like they’re sitting under a tree reading their book.”
The kid’s room is not the only place one can sit and read. There are various chairs and reading nooks placed throughout the shop, as well as a “library” where the books are kept and seating is made available for those who want a cozy place to sit and rea.
“There is a sitting space in every room,” Seeley said. “We’re trying to make it be this space where you can come in, you can pick up a book, you can sit down and you can read. We want everyone in our store to feel comfortable, in whatever capacity they are there.”
All the books sold at Bookmarked Paperie are new, and Seeley said she is hoping to partner with Trussville City Schools to offer school-approved summer reading books at a discounted price.
“Obviously we aren’t just a bookstore, so our inventory isn’t going to be as broad as (other bookstores),” she said. “But our hope is to have that partnership of supporting local and also wanting to really encourage young readers.”
(Credit: Bookmarked Paperie)
Bookmarked Paperie will be holding a celebratory grand opening this Saturday, Nov. 11, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with special treats for their customers including 15% off purchases. The Dimples Flower Truck will also be on site from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Bookmarked Paperie’s business hours are Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; and closed on Sundays.
For more information, check them out on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest, or reach out at Hello@bookmarkedpaperie.com.
