Nightbird makes a new nest
Taniah Tudor
Issue date: 4/22/09 Section: Lifestyles
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The local bookstore opened on South School Avenue about three years ago, said owner Lisa Sharp. Sharp originally wanted to open it in her new location on Dickson, but it was occupied by Ozark Mountain Smokehouse, owned by her grandfather-in-law, Roy Sharp, who opened the restaurant in 1946. When the space recently became available, she called her grandfather-in-law about renting it, Sharp said.
"I knew, after being at the other space, that I needed to be on one level," Sharp said. Her displays were on two levels in her previous building, but half her stock was not visible because customers either could not or would not climb the stairs, she said.
Sharp also liked the idea of being another type of evening destination on Dickson Street, in addition to the restaurants and bars, she said.
Nightbird Books has regularly scheduled events, including three open microphone nights, a playwrights group and the Professional Women's Network meetings, Sharp said.
Marty Smith and Kathy Skaggs are patrons of Nightbird Books and attend meetings of Her Words Out Loud, or Howl, a women's open microphone event held every third Sunday of each month, Smith said.
At Howl, women are invited to read poetry by women, share short prose or sing. The event is hosted by local poet Mendy Knott, Smith said. Howl is usually attended by about 30 to 40 people, Skaggs said.
Smith and Skaggs said that they are happy that Nightbird Books has moved to Dickson Street.
"Dickson's probably the heartbeat of Fayetteville," Skaggs said.
Authors are often brought in to Nightbird Books to do readings and book signings. Local Author Spotlight, where readers are invited to meet two or more authors from the community, is the last Saturday of each month, Sharp said.
Many local and nationally known authors frequent Nightbird Books, including UA professor Geoffrey Brock and his father Van. Nationally known authors, such as Trenton Stewart, who was on The New York Times Best Seller List for his children's book "The Mysterious Benedict Society," have also visited the bookstore.
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