- May 3, 2024
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Ormond Beach resident Rayna Dunlop’s lifelong dream was to own a bookstore.
She’s always been a big reader, and as a mom of three, Dunlop said, her love of reading has continued to evolve over the years — beyond reading as a hobby, she’s passionate about making books accessible and finding a way to spark community connections.
That’s her mission for Fern and Fable, located at 600 S. Yonge St. Suite 7B.
“We have just spent our summer putting this together as a family,” Dunlop said. “My kids were helping to build book shelves and stocking up all the books, and just sharing our family love of reading.”
Dunlop opened her bookstore last week. A ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Ormond Beach Chamber of Commerce will be held from 4-5 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 31.
Fern and Fable offers both new and used books, and Dunlop plans to provide story times and host book club meetings and special events for the community. Dunlop is working with the Early Learning Coalition of Flagler and Volusia in October to promote children’s literacy and raise money for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.
Dunlop — who previously worked for the Observer —decided last fall to open a bookstore. At first, she toyed with the idea of a mobile bookshop, but ultimately felt a brick-and-mortar business was a better fit.
The space at Palm Plaza was the “perfect little spot,” she said.
“Living in Ormond, growing up in Ormond, I love our small business community and I really wanted to be part of that,” Dunlop said.
The recent discourse on school book bans, she said, also pushed her to make books accessible for all at Fern and Fable. She wants to be an advocate for reading and accessibility to reading, she said.
“That’s a big piece of our heart and why we’re here,” Dunlop said.
One author that shaped her life? Jane Austen.
“As a teenager, there were a lot of books I wasn’t allowed to read, but Jane Austen gave me a picture of a strong woman,” Dunlop said. “And also the sweet romances, and that is really a big part of my love for reading.”
In addition to books, Dunlop loves gardening and house plants, which are reflected in her store’s name.
Plus, she’s loved the name Fern ever since she read Charlotte’s Web.
“I always was like, ‘Maybe I’ll have a little girl named Fern one day,’ but this is my baby too,” Dunlop said.
Visit fernandfablebooks.com.
