Downtown Cary’s newest independent bookstore is almost here. Ahead of Juliet Books (& Beautiful Things)’s Tuesday, July 28 opening, The Line sat down with owner Marcie Montague to learn what readers can expect and why this shop is envisioned as more than a bookstore.
After five years working as a chief of staff to the CEO of a tech startup, Montague saw the For Rent sign on the old Tart’s Barbershop, and took it as a sign to take a leap of faith. As an avid reader who seeks out local bookshops when traveling, Montague had always hoped that Downtown Cary would have a little reading nook of its own. So when faced with the opportunity to bring that dream to life, she couldn’t say no.
“I had to ask myself the question, what am I working this many hours for? It’s not my dream, it’s someone else’s,” said Montague. “If I was going to continue to work at this pace and this hard, I wanted it to mean more.”
Enter Juliet Books (& Beautiful Things), inspired by the Shakespeare classic Romeo and Juliet. Montague—who, incidentally, shares a family name with the character of Romeo—sees a parallel, in that “finding the right book at the right time could make an impact on [one’s] own life, to help with your better ending. That’s the hope.”
Juliet Books isn’t the first bookstore to open in Downtown Cary recently. The Arcane Books and Speakeasy opened its Williams House Bookshop on July 15 on the eastern side of downtown. The Arcane focuses on adult fiction.
Juliet Books will offer something for every reader—from children’s books to fiction to romance to mystery to nonfiction and beyond. Montague wants anyone who walks through the door to be able to find something to enjoy. Books will be ordered on a weekly basis to allow for the inventory to be curated by the community’s purchases.
While books are the heart of the store, the shop will also feature goods from local artisans, with a focus on unique gifts. To help foster the conversations and make the environment more bookish, Juliet Books will also offer select coffees (local roasts only) and other beverages.
Montague’s two favorite parts of the store are the “Little Loft” and Juliet’s Balcony. The “Little Loft” is the children’s books area upstairs. Juliet Books will also offer storytime events, programs like yoga and stories, children’s book clubs, scavenger hunts, and more. The Little Loft includes a hand-painted mural by local artist Rachel Chelsea (Chello Designs) for a truly dreamy oasis. As for Juliet’s Balcony, for anyone familiar with the site in Verona, Italy, it will be our own version in Downtown Cary. Visitors can write their own letter to Juliet and add it to the “Dear Juliet” wall to keep the hope of love alight.
While Juliet Books is opening its doors in July, the official grand opening on September 19 is jam-packed with fun events for readers of all ages. Stop by throughout the day for author meet and greets, including Ryan Bliss, children’s author and YouTube star of Mooseclumps, and Meghan Church, Charlotte-based author of The Mad Wife, along with other local authors. Arrive early for a coveted poem from the Poetry Fox.
Looking ahead, Montague envisions Juliet Books as more than just a quaint and cozy corner for readers. She hopes the shop will become a cornerstone of the community by supporting local schools, giving back to underserved populations, and partnering with organizations to create employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. As the shop grows, readers can look forward to book clubs and other community programming.
Find it: Juliet Books (& Beautiful Things) is located at 200 Parkthrough Street, Cary, in the old Tart Barbershop. The shop’s regular hours will be 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 12-5 p.m. Sundays. For more information, visit their website julietbooks.com.
