Steven and Dawn Porter have opened a business that, a decade ago, would have been thought unwise: a local, independent bookstore.
They chose a prominent site in downtown Pawtucket for Stillwater Books, at 175 Main St., trusting that people who read books want to go to a bookstore and browse.
The timing is right, said Steven Porter, of the March 1 opening. The era of big-box, national bookstore dominance has been shifting toward smaller, local retailers, who offer a visual selection for people who aren’t just looking for a specific title or author.
Operated by Stillwater River Publications LLC, the business will feature a little bit of everything, Porter said, including new releases and best-sellers, several thousand used and remainder titles and hundreds of Rhode Island authors.
The focus on regional writers is important to the Porters, both published writers. Steven founded the nonprofit Association of Rhode Island Authors six years ago. The bookstore hopes to help local writers find exposure.