A crowd gathered around a small trailer in the parking lot of a Chesapeake thrift store on a busy Saturday. There was a giant "grand opening" banner plastered on the outside of the unassuming metal box, but the interior was fully decked out with wood flooring, floral wallpaper, mood lighting and books lining purple shelves.
Hampton Roads’ new mobile bookstore, Dead Petals Press, is scheduled to appear at numerous parking lots and events throughout the year. But it’s only bringing books that are hard to find on other shelves.
Owner JB Akers said that this isn’t the first mobile bookstore in the area, but each one has its own niche; hers is independent authors.
“You can actually find really great, unique stories from these independent authors who can't get into these big publishing houses. And I think that’s where a lot of the gems are.”
The idea began when Akers' sister discovered her BookTok account—a TikTok profile dedicated to sharing and recommending books.
Her sister lives in Israel and their love of reading became a way for the women to connect from across the world. The pair dreams of opening a bookstore together, but while her sister finishes her studies, Akers decided to get things rolling.
The 85-square-foot trailer was a cheaper and more flexible option than a typical brick-and-mortar location. It took her family two months to transform the trailer into a cozy and chic bookshop that comfortably fits six browsing customers and Akers behind the counter.
When Akers started her BookTok, she read advanced book copies from independent authors and provided the writers with feedback. She discovered amazing stories.
“That’s why I really wanted to just focus on them and give them their moment to shine … and build up their fan base.”
Akers and her father own another business, Kilted Jeweler, which specializes in chainmail jewelry and accessories. It’s popular at bookfairs, comic conventions and fantasy events—often where the readers are. Akers saw the opportunity to bring the books to them.
Her grand opening was on August 30 and she’s now booked every weekend for the rest of the year, with bookings for both businesses often overlapping. In addition to Kilted Jeweler merchandise, Dead Petals Press also carries local coffee, handmade soaps and reading accessories.
Akers curates the inventory by finding books through social media and networking with authors. She has a good grasp of the books, genres, plots and the degree of explicit content—spiciness, as it’s known online.
“I do know enough to actually try and point some of these people to these books and give them a small enough gist about the book to hopefully spark their interest to see if it's something they'd like.”
Akers said she has received positive feedback from people who appreciate the concept, the atmosphere and the ability to discuss the books in more depth than could be expected from a retail store.
She has a growing selection of local authors and intends to dedicate a section of the store to them. Currently, she sells a variety of genres, including poetry, fantasy, romance, thriller and science fiction from local writers Brittany Duncan Miller, SJ Lee, L.R. Friedman, S.S. Nightshade and T.D. Lane.
Chesapeake-based author Joanna Wolford never thought she’d see her psychological thriller “I Kept a Piece of You” on shelves.
“I don't think I would've had that opportunity through bookstores because the mainstream bookstores like Barnes & Noble, they won't take independent published novels.”
She said, even though there are independent bookstores, this one feels different, like Akers “really wants to get people's voices out there.”
“I hope that it branches off more,” Wolford said, “she's got something pretty unique.”
Visit dead.petals.press on Instagram for more information.