Co-owners Bobby and Leila Parks want Flipping Pages Bookshop to inspire kids to find the magic in reading. Photo by Rachel Mills
Bobby and Leila Parks want people to feel at home in their new store, Flipping Pages Bookshop. Photo by Rachel Mills
An alien holds a book while sitting on a bench at Flipping Pages Bookshop. Photo by Rachel Mills
Readers can take some time to sit and red while shopping at Flipping Pages Bookshop, which recently opened on Beach St. in Daytons Beach. Photo by Rachel Mills
Flipping Pages Bookstore has a collection of new and used books for sale. Photo by Rachel Mills
Flipping Pages Bookshop recently opened on Beach St. in Daytons Beach. Photo by Rachel Mills
Flipping Pages Bookshop recently opened on Beach St. in Daytona Beach. Photo by Rachel Mills
Flipping Pages Bookshop recently opened on Beach St. in Daytona Beach. Photo by Rachel Mills
Flipping Pages Bookshop recently opened on Beach St. in Daytona Beach. Photo by Rachel Mills
A book shelf full of used books for sale sits by the door at Flipping Pages Bookstore in Daytona Beach. Photo by Rachel Mills
Flipping Pages Bookshop has more than just books. They also carry several types of merchandise, a classic comic book collection, and original albums. Photo by Rachel Mills
A winged horse. An alien holding a book. Monkeys in deep thought. A palm tree.
The decorations of the new Flipping Pages Bookshop are a representation of the unique energy co-owners Bobby and Leila Parks bring to work each day, hoping to inspire the next generation of readers and to encourage readers of all ages to rediscover the magic of books.
“It all started in 1975 when I read the Hobbit,” Bobby Parks said. “So it goes way back. I’ve been addicted to books since.”
The store opened one month ago at 136 S. Beach St. in Daytona Beach. The Parkses are happy with the outcome.
“It has exceeded our expectations by far,” Bobby Parks said. “Fridays and Saturdays – even [Monday] blew our minds. You can see the crowd we have even on a Tuesday morning”
The Parkses say that visitors can expect to experience positive energy when they come to the store.
“We treat everybody like family,” co-owner Leila Parks said.
The visitors to the store echo that sentiment.
“They’re very organized and they’re super friendly, you know they’re very welcoming,” customer Jaiden Drake-Crist said. “They’re very clean.”
One person riding by on her bike dropped in for a visit.
“There’s a storm outside, so, I ducked in and [was] thrilled to see a local bookshop that has new and used books, and thrilled to support it,” said new customer Holly. “Love the owner already and the vibe in here. ”
The Parkses owned a thrift shop in Ormond Beach previously where they sold books regularly. They had 20,000 to 30,000 books in storage which helped inspire them to open the store at the new location.
“There’s so many activities that go on on beach street in Daytona and we’re just excited about being a part of the community,” Bobby Parks said.
While the Parkses say that one of the focuses of the store is all about helping kids read more and giving local authors exposure, there is much more to it than that.
“We have merchandise as well, so it’s not just about the books,” Bobby Parks said. “We also have a collection of old paperbacks and vintage books. We have a little comics section. We have an amazing records section. We have an amazing children’s section and We have a secret room in the back for book clubs and reading groups”
So far they have seven reading clubs and groups scheduled to use the secret room for their meetings at no charge in September.
For more information, visit the Flipping Pages Bookshop Facebook Page or call 386-225-1270.
