Bradley said all the staff members have a hand in creating their secondhand book collection. He said that one of the reasons the bookstore has unique and interesting titles is because it depends on who is stocking shelves that day.
Golden Fig Books wants readers to have the experience of cracking open a book for the first time, Cecil said — whether the book is new or second-hand.
“We want people to be able to feel like they have a pretty new book, but not have to pay new book prices,” she said.
Cecil said the rest of the inventory comes from buying overstock — which is when publishers produce more books than they sell — and a careful selection of new books. She said that they use new books to bolster gaps in subjects and topics on their shelves.
Sara Marossy, a sophomore at UNC, said that being in a cool bookstore like Golden Fig inspires her to read more.
“I went through a reading phase in middle school,” Marossy said. “But I haven’t been able to read a lot recently because I haven’t had time, but I also haven’t wanted to go and buy a book and spend that money, but this makes me want to get back into reading again.”
Scattered across the shelves are different colored notes — recommendations from booksellers.
Each bookseller has a distinct color, Bradley said. That way, if customers find that they enjoy a staff member’s taste, they can find the other books they have recommended.
Community members can also submit recommendations of their own. Bradley said that anybody can submit their review to info@goldenfigbooks.com.
Cecil said it is fun to have some influence over what the bookstore carries, and that it is a cool combination of what the community and the staff are reading and enjoying at that point in time.
Though digital books have increased in popularity, Cecil said she doesn’t think brick-and-mortar bookstores like Golden Fig are going anywhere.
Going into their second year, Bradley said that they want Golden Fig to become a cultural space in Carrboro by hosting events and discussions.
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“As for a welcome from the community and an overall first year, I think it’s been above and beyond what we could have hoped for,” Cecil said.
Golden Fig Books, a locally-owned and independent bookstore in Carrboro, is pictured on Monday, Nov. 20, 2023. The Carrboro store celebrated turning one on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023.