Abbie Enk harvests coffeehouse reads with Freshly Picked Books
When Abbie Enk came to Greenville two years ago, she soon saw how supportive its citizens are of local businesses, particularly the city’s local produce stands and farmers markets.
“I know most people say this about their community,” says the Midwest-born transplant, “but something is extra-special about Greenville.”
She wanted her own business to reflect the spirit of those produce stands, with fresh, hand-picked items becoming a staple in the community. Hence the name Freshly Picked Books.
Enk harvests the books mostly from thrift shops and displays them on easels in coffee shops and other gathering spaces in Greenville, Greer, and Travelers Rest.
“I love to read, and the dream is to have a bookstore one day,” says Enk, who works full-time in graphic design. “So, I thought, what can I do to start small?”
Related: Explore Upstate Bookstores
Selecting the Freshly Picked Books
Each display stand (built by her husband) holds about a dozen books. Maintaining the produce stand vibe, science fiction and fantasy selections are marked “Spore Lore” with a mushroom illustration; thrillers and mysteries are labeled “Rotten Core” with an apple; classics are “Heirlooms”; historical fictions are “Preserves”; and top picks are “Certified Sweet.” “Secret Picks” wrapped in brown paper are “like a blind date with a book,” says Eck.
“I try to find books that look new,” she says. “I look for stuff that’s generally pretty popular. I try to do a range of genres and mix it up. It’s a nice little thing to have in the community.”
Readers are welcome to pick up a book while they sip their coffee and put it back for the next person, or purchase it at the register. As Eck makes her rounds restocking the shelves, she has found that each venue has its own appetite.
“Canvas (in Greenville) and Third Place (in Greer) have a lighter kind of vibe, so general fiction sells there,” says Eck. “But Flying Fox (in Greer) is kind of edgier, so thrillers and Gothic books go a little faster there.”
With four book stands now and one more coming soon, Eck has her eye on expansion, hoping to get to ten locations in addition to pop-ups. And she has plenty of stock to fill the shelves.
“I have about 400 or 500 books now,” she laughs. “My little home office is being taken over by all the books. But it’s nice to have options.”
Where to Find Them:
- Third Place Coffee House, 1711 Old Spartanburg Rd., Greer
- Canvas Coffee + Art House, 109 W. Stone Ave., Greenville
- Flying Fox Coffee, 208 Trade Street, Greer
- TR Makers Co., 3 S. Main St., Travelers Rest
- Coming soon: Little Leaf Coffee, Greer
Find out more at freshlypickedbooks.com.
