Fashion Meets Literature At New Detroit Bookstore

By Edward Cardenas

DETROIT (CBS Detroit) - Susan Murphy wants to bring her love of reading, classic works of literature and spending time looking over various titles to a new bookstore on the Avenue of the Fashion on Livernois in Detroit.

Murphy is bringing Pages on Livernois to northwest Detroit this fall, fulfilling a dream.

"Reading books really impacted my life early on. I would like to give that experience to other people," said Murphy. "I think a brick and mortar store will bring books to the forefront."

The approximately 1,200-square-foot bookstore, which will be located on Livernois south of Outer Drive, will be located in the former Hunter's Supper Club, on the south end the U-shaped building on Livernois. It will have access to a courtyard in the middle.

Leading up to the opening, Murphy has been gaining practical experience by operating a pop-up store in the Rust Belt Market in Ferndale. She also launched a blog, Facebook page and Twitter account to help build awareness of the bookstore.

Mixing this experience, along with her professional work that included running a business research company, teaching and receiving a library of science degree, Murphy believes she can provide a unique experience of finding  books from a variety of genres including fiction, nonfiction, history, sci-fi, mystery, and children's section.

"I can't compete with Amazon," said Murphy, who added that her store will have some advantages over the online retailer. "(Pages on Livernois) is an experience ... the ability to wander, look, browse. That is the power a real bookstore can bring."