I’ve used the word ‘serendipity’ several times just lately and, since style matters to me, I’m troubled by tedious repetition; yet Twitter is rather generous with serendipitous moments and another one (thanks to my writer friend Carol Hedges @carolJhedges for the information) popped up in the feed on Thursday last. It was the start of something big and it was, is and will be in Lincoln.
Living in this city are siblings Joff and Becky, who are taking the brave step into the wonderful world of independent bookselling, with a special emphasis upon supporting local and independent authors. On Saturday 4th May, BookStop Café will be opened to the discerning readers and the tea, coffee and cake addicts of Lincoln.
Where? At 46-47 Steep Hill and 7 Christ’s Hospital Terrace, the new home of BookStop Café is also a very old home, an example of Norman domestic architecture and, according to many references, known as ‘Aaron the Jew’s House’ (where Aaron of Lincoln, who died in 1186, lived – he was then the greatest Jewish financier of England). The building has been a shop for many years and is currently where, up above the new bookshop/café, tea importer Imperial Teas conducts its business: an atmospheric venue indeed, ready for a new development in its very long history.
Joff (self-published author Joff Gainey) and Becky have always dreamed of combining a café with books and now their vision is becoming reality: BookStop Café will, at weekends only to start with, be a place for readers to enjoy new and secondhand books in comfortable surroundings. Before very long, it will be a place where children can listen to storytelling and where artists can display their works. Keep up to date with its progress on Twitter at @BookStopCafe .
I am delighted to have come across this new venture and hope that you will join me in wishing it well. The lucky people of Lincoln will be able to settle down to good reading on Saturdays and Sundays from 4th May, 10.00 a.m – 4.00 p.m. My guess is that they will be settling down to some very fine cake, coffee and tea too.
I know where I’ll be heading, next time I’m in Lincoln.
Christina James, crime novelist 
AWESOME! I’m so there, both in person and in book. Great feature, thank you for shouting about this venture!
Hello, Nicky. Lovely of you to add your support and to have been so complimentary. Your ‘like’ and ‘follow’ make this a triple pleasure. Many, many thanks! 🙂
🙂 x
I’ll definitely go there when I’m in Lincoln, hope to be there again soon…
Thanks, Chris. Who knows, chance being what it is, we may see each other there! 🙂
I’d love to go there too. I spent a year at the art college in Lincoln and loved the city. I have also long dreamed to have a coffee shop and book shop combined. It was something I even planned to do in South Africa, but never had the money to start it up. For me, then, this would be a delightful revival of both dreams and memories.
I’m very much hoping to get to Lincoln fairly soon and will certainly be partaking of the pleasures of this new place there!
Will be travelling over early Saturday morning with books with three companions with books under our arms to put on the shelves – and one for browsers. This is such a brilliant idea to help indie publishers like us to get our books out there to the book buying public. Go Joff and Becky.
Thanks, Lizzie. I agree – this is a super venture and one that should be both publicised and supported. Lincoln is very lucky to have Becky and Joff!
Christina, my free-style inspirational poetry and meditations book, The Window to my Soul; My Walk with Jesus (2004 Tate Publishing) will be available to buyers at a low prices than amazon.co.uk. I believe on supporting independent businesses who are willing to take a leap of faith in promoting independently published authors. I chose to price my book at a discounted price to give visitors a higher incentive to buy my book there and at the same time providing a exclusively for Joff and Becky.
Since I heard about the idea at a group in Faceboo, I loved it. I like the concept of reading the book before buying it. However, a more modified version of Borders.com, they chose to have a copy of the books only for a sample reading and other for sales. This is great since you protect the good copies from wore and tear damage. I visin the “Read in the Cafe” to be a total success!!!!
Although I live in Germany and have never been in England, I look forward to visit The Book Stop Cafe in the near future.
Thanks for help us spread the word about this great business idea.
Tannia, welcome here. I’m sure that Joff and Becky will be delighted to read this. I can see from the detailed preparation that huge care has been lavished already upon getting this venture off the ground. I’m convinced that, with the right kind of support, it will indeed be a success. That you have taken the trouble to comment here helps in spreading the word about it. Thank you so much!
Sounds wonderful. Pity Lincoln is so far away. Best of luck with the new venture.
Thanks, Gladys. I’m sure that Joff and Becky are doing everything they can to make it succeed. 🙂
It’s about three years since I went to Lincoln (and I love the place but I’m just a few hours drive away). I think this could be the reason to return though.
Well, I’m sure that Becky and Joff will be pleased to see you! They have taken a bold step and deserve support. This is quite an unusual business plan, I think, and I sincerely hope to see it succeed!
You’re very welcome here; thanks for visiting. 🙂