The City of Auburn is now home to a privately owned bookstore, Auburn Oil Co. Booksellers. The bookstore, located on Magnolia Avenue, is owned by a couple from Greenville, South Carolina.
The bookstore opened its doors to the public on Saturday, Oct. 26.
June Wilcox, an owner of the bookstore, said she and her husband have always loved Auburn and come back to visit frequently. The couple was quick to lease a space in downtown Auburn when one opened.
“This has been a year-long journey,” Wilcox said. “The hardest part was finding a place. There is a lot of growth happening in this area, and it is great real estate. I think there are a lot of people who want in.”
The City knew the couple wanted the space and called them as soon as it was freed up, Wilcox said.
The couple also owns a store in Greenville, South Carolina, named M. Judson Booksellers and Storytellers.
“We are going into our fifth year, but it’s really been a collaboration of a lot of women exclusively who have built this really great bookstore in Greenville,” Wilcox said. “We have always been back and forth between Auburn and Greenville.”
The bookstore in Auburn features items other than books such as coffee, T-shirts, canvas bags, towels, buttons and pins.
Wilcox said she thinks there is a need in Auburn for a private, independent bookstore that does not sell textbooks.
The University bookstore is a great resource, she said, but they are more focused on selling textbooks and University merchandise.
“We are very general — independent and general bookstore,” Wilcox said. “So we won’t be selling textbooks or other school supplies.”
There has not been a traditional bookstore in downtown Auburn in years, and the couple feels as though Auburn has been starving for one.
“It’s been an incredibly supportive community,” Wilcox said. “People sure seem to be excited about the opening of our store. We’ve really felt like there is a heart for this here.”
Several community members have praised the book store, especially students.
Emily Makosky, freshman in apparel design and production management, said she is excited for the new store.
“I’m really excited about the opening of the bookstore,” Makosky said. “I’ve only been at Auburn for a few months, but I think that it will be a really great addition to the downtown area.”
The bookstore also offers customers to choose a book via a “blind date.” Short descriptions of things within the book are written on parcel paper covering the book and customers select the book that interests them the most.
Editor's Note: A previous version of this story indicated the couple was from Greenville, Alabama. The story has been changed to correct that information. We sincerely regret the error.
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