Clever Quill Bookstore to Open in Carrollton Oct. 4

Clever Quill Bookstore owner Megan Jones’ goal is to bring a cozy, book-filled store to the Carrollton community.

“We don’t have a bookstore in Carrollton and I always thought the idea of owning a bookstore is just charming and cute,” Jones said. “I think there is a need for it to help foster reading in the community. We have a great library, but some people like to own the books too — like book trophies on the shelf.”

The store is at the former Dr. Bissell’s office at 450 S. Lisbon St. She and her husband, Jerry, are 2016 graduates of Carrollton High School and always had the goal of bringing something to the community. Jerry and her brother bought the property in 2021 with the intention of opening a meadery. But life got busy when her brother moved to North Canton, and Megan and Jerry welcomed their first child. Jones then got back into reading and decided to open this bookstore.

“I’ve always loved books,” Jones said. “College kind of took that away for a while because you don’t have much time to read, but I found my way back through fan fiction. I am a big Harry Potter fan and when I was younger, I read each book in the series about nine times.”

Transforming the former rental property into a bookstore was no small task. Megan, Jerry and their handy family members did nearly everything themselves. They ripped up old carpet, added a wheelchair-accessible ramp, rebuilt the porch and painted every room by hand.

“We wanted to keep the house’s original character but make it cozy and welcoming,” Jones said. “Almost everything — including the shelves, rugs and tables — was thrifted or found secondhand. I spent months hunting through flea markets and Facebook Marketplace to give it a unique, inviting vibe.”

Clever Quill Bookstore will carry both new and gently used books, sourced from vendors such as Ingram and Book Depot as well as local sales and community donations. Jones hopes to eventually launch a trade-in credit program so readers can exchange books and keep the shelves fresh. She will also feature books from local authors. There will be a kids’ section in a dedicated children’s room as well.

Aside from books, there will be book-themed gifts, bookmarks, notepads, pens, Kindle accessories and other small book-related items.

Events are also part of the long-term vision. The Joneses own nearly three acres surrounding the shop and dream of hosting book release parties, book signings, flea markets and even car shows. “We want this to be more than a store,” Jones said. “A place where readers can gather and feel inspired.”

The grand opening event will be Saturday, Oct. 4, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The first two weeks will feature special weekend hours to welcome visitors coming through for the Algonquin Mill Festival, then regular hours will be Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The store will be closed Sundays and Mondays. Jones also runs a website, cleverquillbookstore.square.site. Customers can order new books and have them shipped directly while supporting her small business.