The annual Chapboro Book Crawl took place on Saturday, October 10, 2026, inviting readers to explore five local independent bookstores: Golden Fig Books, Epilogue, Peel, Flyleaf Books, and the newcomer, Read Band Books. Participants engaged in a scavenger hunt-style event, collecting stamps at each stop, which entered them into a prize drawing while enjoying discounts at each location.
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Mimi Stockton, assistant director at Peel, stated that the event aims to inspire curiosity and strengthen connections between local businesses and their patrons. The initiative encourages participants to explore new genres and discover authors they may not have considered before, emphasizing that these independent stores are allies rather than competitors.
Allie Cecil, manager of Golden Fig Books’ location in Carrboro, echoed this sentiment. She noted that while it could be easy to view competing stores as adversaries, they share a common goal of promoting literacy and accessibility to books. A success for one bookstore positively impacts all involved.
Each participating bookstore showcased unique offerings: Golden Fig Books featured gently used titles, Epilogue highlighted independent publishers and underrepresented voices, Flyleaf Books provided a broad selection and focused on local authors, and Peel combined books with art services. Read Band Books, specializing in music literature, joined the crawl six months after its opening.
Malcolm Norton, a participant, appreciated the diversity offered by the bookstores, remarking on how such venues present a more intimate view of the community and celebrate local talent. Oliver Ditenhafer from Epilogue noted that smaller bookstores allow customers to linger without pressure to buy, creating a vital communal space that larger stores do not provide.
Maggie Robe, director of marketing and events at Flyleaf Books, emphasized the unique atmosphere found in independent bookstores, where customers can engage with staff, discuss books, and exchange ideas in a cozy environment. She acknowledged the competition faced by indie stores from larger chains but asserted that their knowledgeable staff and passion for books set them apart.
Virginia Sloop, co-owner of Read Band Books, felt honored to be included in the event and commended the collaborative spirit among the businesses. She encouraged community support for independent bookstores as they work together to foster a vibrant literary culture.