A GEM of a shop in Penarth is celebrating a special anniversary.
On Sunday, September 1, Griffin Books celebrated its tenth birthday. It was exactly ten years to the day that Mel Griffin took over the old Windsor Book Store on Windsor Arcade and turned it into Griffin Books.
Since then the town’s book shop has thrived.
Towns up and down the land can be defined by their high street and one of the indicators that define the strength of a high street is a quality bookstore – and that’s something Penarth has!
Mel told Penarth Times, Griffin Books' time on the high street has flown by and they now feel like an “established part of the community”.
Since Mel took over, the business has expanded, taking on more staff holding events and hosting famous names such as Davina McCall and Rick Stein.
Mel told us how it all began.
“It all started about 45 years ago. I was a Saturday girl at my local book shop and in Dorset and even then I wanted to run my own bookstore.
“When I came to Penarth, I became a regular at Griffin Books (at that time called Windsor Book Store).
“I started having conversations with the previous owners and we agreed a transition and I took over with their blessing.”
Mel rebranded the store along with building the businesse's social media profile and expanding into successful events.
“When I started it was just me with a couple part timers, but we have grown over the years, said Mel. “We have added staff and focused on events and social media.
“Now there are eight of us and we are looking to add another person. It’s been slow but steady growth.”
And Mel had something to say about the high street and the changes she has seen over the past decade.
“The high street has definitely changed,” said Mel. “Businesses have come and gone. There’s always ups and downs, but overall the town is thriving. We always have footfall on the streets.”
She ended by thanking everyone for their support.
“It’s a testament to my team and all the support they give me,” said Mel.
“It takes a community to make a bookshop survive. It is not something we can do without the amazing customers we have, the publishers we work with. There’s a huge amount of working relationships.”
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