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Stratford Woman Seeks Serendipity In Indie Bookstore

STRATFORD, Conn. — A Stratford woman is inching closer to her dream of opening an independent bookstore in town, thanks to crowdsourcing and a pop-up shop she’ll open at the end of the month.

Nikkya Hargrove plans to open Serendipity Books in Stratford.

Nikkya Hargrove plans to open Serendipity Books in Stratford.

Photo Credit: Contributed
Serendipity Books already has a logo created by local artist Sarah King of Sarahakingart.com.

Serendipity Books already has a logo created by local artist Sarah King of Sarahakingart.com.

Photo Credit: Sarah King

Nikkya Hargrove, a freelance writer for The Washington Post who works in the nonprofit sector, said she she’s always wanted to connect with her community through the love of reading.

“I want to run a bookstore for many reasons but for one, it provides our community with the opportunity to buy local and support local members of our community through their purchase at our store,” she said Wednesday. “A bookstore provides access to literacy and programs which you can't always find. There is nothing quite like running your hands through the pages of books, sitting down and engaging in a story which you'll remember forever!”

Serendipity Books will highlight a social justice theme. Hargrove plans programming for children and workshops for adults, as well as a host of interesting books and local coffee and pastries.

“It will be a place for the community to learn and grow together,” she said. “I will offer all genres.”

Hargrove has just begun the process of crowdfunding and has already raised $2,680 through an Indiegogo campaign running for a few more weeks. Check it out here.

In addition she’s connecting with local artists and authors to start spreading the word.

Serendipity Books will host a Pop-up Shop at Two Roads Brewery on April 30 from noon to 4 p.m. The address is 1700 Stratford Avenue. It’s a fitting day, too, as April 29 is National Independent Bookstore Day.

Hargrove said she and her wife moved to Stratford in 2014 because they want to raise their three children in an inclusive community and they hope that feeling extends to the bookstore.

To that end, she plans to host a monthly social group, Paint and Wine nights out, volunteer opportunities and discounted and free book days so all can enjoy the love of reading.

“Together we can create a safe place to engage in diverse and inclusive storytelling and make Serendipity Books a place we can grow together through our love for books and community!” she wrote in her crowdfunding pitch.

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