Construction is underway for Hub City Books, "Your Community Bookstore," on the ground floor of the historic Masonic Temple building in downtown Spartanburg. “This landmark bookstore will be on the leading edge of a new business model emerging in the book-selling industry—non-profit bookstores financially supported by communities of book-lovers and civically-engaged residents,” said Betsy Teter, executive director of the Hub City Writers Project.

The store will stock hundreds of titles, including bestsellers, regional books, university press books, children’s books, and used books.

When the store opens in the spring, proceeds from book sales will fund local literary programming, Hub City Press publishing operations, college scholarships for local creative writers, and other charitable activities. “In addition to a small paid staff, the store will utilize a crew of engaged volunteers who share our understanding that a vibrant downtown bookstore enhances the city’s cultural life and improves lives through literacy,” Teter said.

The Hub City Writers Project, which has won a host of state and national arts awards, has published more than 40 books and 250 writers in its 15 years of operation. In addition to its publishing, it also hosts a regional summer writers conference, is a sponsor of the South Carolina First Novel Contest, provides scholarships to emerging creative writers and sponsors workshops and readings. It currently shares office space with its sister organization, HUB-BUB.COM, but will move to the Masonic Temple when renovations are complete.

The bookstore will have a large, central display called “What Spartanburg Reads” with a regular exhibit and inventory of books recommended by local luminaries, such as college presidents, politicians, businesspeople, key nonprofit leaders, and ordinary readers. It also will have rotating displays about the works and personalities of successful Spartanburg literary figures.

“This community bookstore will encourage the love of books and provide a common downtown location where readers can meet like-minded others,” Teter said. “It will be an educational center for learning about writers and a place for the public to interact with them.”

The upper two floors of the Masonic Temple, as well as the basement, are regularly used by two active groups of Ancient Free Masons, including the Spartan Lodge No. 7, chartered in 1849, and the St. John’s Lodge #333. “We look forward to being a partner with the Masons and honoring this special building,” Teter said. She added that the Writers Project is especially excited about the wide sidewalk and the building's substantial marquee, which will provide a large covered area for cafe-style seating out front.

Contributions to help underwrite the bookstore are tax-deductible and can be made online here or mailed to Hub City Writers Project at 149 S. Daniel Morgan Ave., Suite 2, Spartanburg SC 29306. The Hub City Writers Project is a program of HubCulture, a 501-c3 organization that builds community through dynamic arts and ideas.