DALWORTHINGTON GARDENS, Texas–As the digital world expands, many may expect independent bookstore numbers to dwindle in their local communities. But when it comes to Pantego Books, the store has found a supportive customer base to sustain it.
Owners Morgan and Lee Moore opened Pantego Books on Pioneer Parkway in October of 2022 after moving back to the Arlington area to be closer to family. The Moores said they felt like there was a gap in the community that needed to be filled, yet the dream did not begin here.
“My husband and I saw a bookstore for sale many years ago when we lived in Washington state, and that kind of planted the seed,” Morgan Moore said.
She said that the idea had been a joke between them for almost a decade before they brought it to life.
“We realized life was too short and felt that there was a need for a bookstore in this area, so we decided to jump in and try it,” she said.
As it turned out, customers agreed with the Moores. A year and a half since they first opened the doors, Morgan Moore said the community response has been overwhelmingly positive.
“The community received us a lot better than I think either of us anticipated, and it became very clear that everyone else thought there was a need as well,” she said.
The bookstore holds events to celebrate independent and traditionally published authors alike. The community is invited to meet authors, celebrate new books that are launching and hear authors read excerpts of their work. For example, Pantego Books is scheduled to host a Meet the Author event on Thursday with writer Theo Boyd. Later in the month, Pantego Books is scheduled to hold a launch party for author Amy Schumacher to celebrate her new book In the Orbit of You at 7 p.m. March 19.
But events are not the only way customers can be involved. Pantego Books also offers Date Nights where patrons can bring their own food and enjoy an hour and a half long date with the music of their choice and a complimentary bottle of champagne or a non-alcoholic alternative.
“People reach out and we find a date that works for the both of us and they book it. It’s kind of an open-ended thing,” Morgan Moore said.
Customers also influence the selection of books offered. Employee Holly Norris said independent bookstores might be more personable to customers than big box chains.
“For the most part, it’s having a really specific stock for who we cater to,” Norris said. “We have repeat customers who come in all the time, and being able to take their input and frequent purchases molds our inventory to the community more so than a chain bookstore can.”
Customer Lorelai Hofer said she chooses to shop at Pantego Books because of the personal touch.
“It was originally because they were kind of small and they looked like they were a little more personal, and the people were really nice,” Hofer said.
Many bookstores face the issue of competing against online and audio books. Even though e-readers are becoming increasingly popular, many customers are resorting back to paper books.
“I like to be able to hold a physical book, and I don’t like reading on a screen because I feel like I look at my phone all day long or different screens,” Hofer said. “Reading is a little break from that.”
Morgan Moore said paper books are making a comeback for avid readers.
“People are trying to get back to the roots of books,” she said. “They want paper. They want to turn a page.”
To make reading physical books easier for their customer base, the Moores offer same-day local delivery if they are within a two-mile radius and free local pick up.
Local bookstores often offer more than just books. They hold a safe space for many customers as well.
“I have a lot of people that come in just to chat,” Morgan Moore said. “A lot of regulars, they don’t buy anything. They just want to come by and say hi, and I love it.”