Small town America – In every state just outside of every major metropolitan area, countless number of small towns and villages dot the landscape. The town of Northeast Pennsylvania is just such a town, with one exception. The other towns are not fortunate enough to have the Last Wordsmith Shoppe. Upon entering the shop, you’re greeted by one of three people: the owner, Megan Collins, or employees Christine Ott and Kristine Schwartzman. The smiles and hugs are plentiful and it’s as if old friends are returning home, being greeted with open arms. For the most part, that greeting is given to most that walk through the door. I had the opportunity, recently, to sit down with Megan and ask her just a few questions about the book store and her views on a few related subjects.

T21:

Megan, Thank you for taking the time to speak with us today, Can you tell our readers how the last Wordsmith Shoppe came about?

Megan

My dream job had been to open a small bookstore and I had planned to open one when I “retired.” I set some money aside every month in order to do that. I worked in Human Resources for about 20 years and then was laid off. There were no job prospects in sight in the near or distant future and I had no real desire to go back into the corporate world. So, I thought, “why not try the bookstore now?” Even though I didn’t have a lot of money saved and the economy was not in the best shape, I couldn’t sit around waiting for something to happen, so I made the bookstore happen.

T21

Are you a native to Northeast Pennsylvania?

Megan

No, I grew up in Central Illinois and moved to this beautiful grape country about 10 years ago. My husband at the time accepted a position at the Penn State Grape Research Lab, which is what brought me here.

T21

What kind of future events can patrons look forward to at The Last Wordsmith?

Megan

 We are planning a “Women of the Arts expo” in September. It will coincide with the annual Wine Festival here. Wine, Women and Song features female authors, musicians, painters, sculptors, photographers and more. It will also include some fun and relaxing activities like Reiki treatments, Holistic therapies and spiritual readings. We are also planning a ghost walk with authors whose works include Halloween, paranormal or just scary themes for an event in October. That will coincide with the Annual Eerie Horror Fest.

T21

It is a nice to see that you support and promote Local and regional authors, I know that recently you have had several book signings at the shop that have featured Authors such As “Tara Zawacki” and “John Ecko.”

Megan

I do support local authors. I want to include as many books from local authors as possible in the bookstore and give them an opportunity to market their works to the community through readings and book signings. I strongly feel that in order to keep the economy going and for us to grow and thrive, we must support each other. We have an unbelievable amount of talented authors in the area and the bookstore is a great venue to display and of course sell their work.

T21

What is your ultimate vision for the book store?

Megan

I definitely want to remain independent. I would love to see the bookstore as the place for authors and a variety of artists to meet together for inspiration and support. I also want it to be a place the public feels they can come to for a sense of community, where they can become informed, uplifted and just plain have fun.

T21

In your opinion, can you tell us the importance of Indy bookstores? How do they differ from the large brick and mortar chain stores?  

Megan

Indies are completely different than chain stores, completely. How many chain bookstores know their patrons by name and if they do, do they remember what genre that patron favors? Not very likely. How many chains will stay open late or open early for fellow business owners or other patrons who work odd hours, just so they can come in and browse and catch their breath before or after a long day?

As an independent we have a greater ability to accommodate what our patrons want and need. We give discounts to book clubs and offer writer’s workshops. We also can order not just new but used, rare and out of print books that the chains just are not able to do. For every $100 spent at one of our local businesses, $68 will stay in the community. When $100 is spent at a national chain, only $43 stays in the community.

T21

Can you give us an idea of the types of books you sell? Are they available online through your website? 

Megan

We sell all kind of books of all genres, Fiction, Horror, Science Fiction, Drama, Romance, Non-fiction, Biographies, History, Political Science, also religion from Catholic to Wiccan just to name a few both new and used. We also have some used text books for college students or homeschoolers.  We are just now getting things ready to have our online shopping cart available. We’ll keep you posted on that!

I found it an extreme pleasure to be able to patronize this establishment. Megan’s store has been open just over a year now, and in this writer’s opinion, it is destined for a long and prosperous life. T21 would like to thank Megan and her staff for their kindness and hospitality. T21 will share with its readers all planned and future events for the “Last Wordsmith Shoppe.” The shop is located at 17 East main street, North East Pennsylvania. You can contact Megan and her staff at 814-725-9141 or, go to their web site at www.lastwordsmith.com.

So if you find yourself along the shores of Lake Erie wine country, be sure to stop in and pay a visit to The Last Wordsmith Book Shoppe.