Swamp Fox Bookstore moving to Uptown Marion

MARION -- The Swamp Fox Bookstore will begin its move to Uptown Marion on Friday, Jan. 26.

The owners hope to open in their new location, at 1375 Seventh Ave., Suite A, on Feb. 7. A grand reopening is planned for Independent Bookstore Day — April 27— which is also the store’s opening.

The business’ current location, at 809 Sixth Ave. in Marion, closed last Friday.

“We are so excited that the community has supported us and showed us they want a locally owned bookstore in their backyard,” said Terri LeBlanc, co-owner of Swamp Fox Bookstore.

“The new shop in Uptown Marion allows for more gathering space, where we can not only recommend books but allow people to share what they’re reading with others. Plus, it consolidates all operations under one roof.”

The woman-owned bookstore has had retail space in Marion’s West End since July 2020, but administrative tasks have been performed offsite. LeBlanc, Amanda Zhorne and Ursla Lanphear opened the tiny shop featuring books from their personal collections and from another bookstore that closed.

The store added a kids’ unit in 2021 and consolidated in 2022 when a larger unit became available.

“Now, with 1,150 square feet to work with, our inventory and hours may expand a little, but our goal is for the store to feel cozy, like you’re walking into someone’s living room,” LeBlanc said. “We want to be a gathering space for book lovers so everyone can learn about new authors and discover books they might like.”

She said readers can support the bookstore while it’s closed by buying gift cards from the store or by buying books online through Bookshop.org/shop/swampfoxbookstore.

Author events

Swamp Fox Bookstore also is sponsoring three author events at the Marion Public Library in February and March.

Children’s author Elana K. Arnold will appear Feb. 8; Iowa-based romance author Denise Williams on Feb. 12; and New York Times bestselling author Heather Gudenkauf, an Iowan, on March 26.

Books will be for sale at the events, while supplies last, so preordering is recommended. Swamp Fox Bookstore and its cosponsors will donate 10 percent of on-site sales to the Marion Public Library.

Details about author talks, store hours, book clubs and the bookstore’s moving process are available at swampfoxbookstore.com