Feature Story and Photos by Larry H. Oskin
Sunshine Book Co. recently opened at 647 Lake Avenue in Downtown Clermont, across from the Clermont City Center. The new book store celebrated its grand opening with the support of family, friends, local business owners, and residents. The South Lake Chamber of Commerce Ambassador Team hosted the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Beth & Todd Merrick: Beth is a native Floridian, having grown up in Central Florida. She has lived in Clermont for 18 years and worked as a concierge and in customer relations for over 27 years with Disney. Co-owner and husband Todd worked at Disney, while he also owned and operated a local comic book store for 8 years. She is a member of a popular local book club, Reading Between the Wines. It will be a family business with their children helping.
Spreading Sunshine! The couple plan to provide a very wide and diverse selection of books, from classics and bestsellers to new releases, including plenty of children’s books. They will feature several local authors who will offer their books at the store while sharing book readings and author signing events.
They have plans for several special events per month with book tie-ins. Beth Merrick adds, “We look forward to celebrating a number of exciting major literary events throughout the year. We are also excited to support local businesses by carrying a variety of gift items from several local partners including bakery items, seasonal gifts, cards, stationery and locally themed products. We’ve used teamwork with local companies for everything from our security system to the shelving and signage. We will also offer many literary related products from stickers to candles, jewelry, fun wardrobe, tote bags and soaps to socks, and more.” Bookworms who prefer audiobooks will be able to download from them. Book fans who are not local can still purchase from their website and they will ship directly to you. Beth adds, “If we don’t have the book you are looking for, we can find and order pretty much anything. If your book club wants to meet, let us know. Come on in, grab a book, a chair and hang out with us!”
Upcoming Book Lover Events: In April, the couple plan to celebrate National Poetry Month, Independent Bookstore Day on April 24 and they will participate in Corelli’s Downtown Clermont Wine Stroll on April 17.
In May, they will have events for Children’s Book Week May 3 to 7 while being open for Clermont’s First Friday event on May 7. They have plans to celebrate Star Wars Day on May 4, National Reading is Fun Week May 10 to 14, and they will have an author event with Scott Vedder on May 16.
For more information on the Sunshine Book Co., visit 647 Lake Avenue, Clermont FL 34711 or phone: 352-404-6077. You can email Beth Merrick at SunshineBookCompany@GMail.com. They will be open Tuesdays through Sundays from 10 AM to 6 PM. Visit their website to follow their Events Calendar at: www.sunshineBookCo.com/. Follow them on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/sunshinebookco.
