Today we’d like to introduce you to Katelyn Cassell.
Hi Katelyn, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My story isn’t about just me. The Dogeared Page is a family affair. The shop was opened in August of 2021, by our founder and a good friend of mine, Catherine Caldwell Carter. After over a decade without a locally owned indie bookshop in Danville, Catherine opened The Dogeared Page on Danville’s Main Street, and nurtured it. In fall of last year, we found out she was looking to sell the shop and move on to the next chapter in her life. With two young kids, no one could blame her, but we also knew we HAD to keep this shop open. I’m a firm believer that if you want community, you have to build it. So, we made an investment into our community, and bought the shop. I own the shop with my mother and mother-in-law, and my husband (a disabled veteran) helps us keep the whole operation running. It’s been one of the best experiences of our lives. We love spending time with our community and doing our part to keep Danville reading!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Running your own business is always an adjustment, especially given that I still work a full-time job elsewhere at this point, but we have been blown away by the support of the community here in Danville, By and large, our customers are so thoughtful and kind… and they’re genuinely COOL people. We love it.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about The Dogeared Page?
At The Dogeared Page, we believe in the magic of slowing down. Much like when you dog-ear a page in your favorite book, we want to be that cozy corner where you can press pause without having to worry about the “after.” Step inside, grab a cup of coffee, and browse our shelves at your own pace. No rush, just stories waiting to be discovered.
We’re a family-owned, independent bookstore rooted right here in the heart of Danville’s River District. Our mission is simple: to foster connection, conversation, and community through a shared love of stories. Whether you’re searching for your next great read, swapping recommendations, or just stopping by to say hello, we’re grateful to be your local spot for all things literary.
We should also mention here that we are a women and disabled veteran owned and operated business.
How do you define success?
Success, for us, is building community. We don’t take any money out of our shop. We don’t even pay ourselves at this point. Every dollar that we make goes back into making this shop better and better for our customers. “Third spaces,” as defined by sociologist Ray Oldenburg, are neutral, welcoming gathering spots where people can relax, connect with others, and build a sense of community. We believe our shop to be a VITAL third space in the Danville area. Outside of regular operations, we host three book clubs per month and various bookish-themed events, like our ever-popular Edgar Allan Poe night and the Book Bedazzling Workshop we held for Galentine’s Day.
For us, success is chatting with a customer about their favorite new read. It’s having the shop full of women, talking and laughing together at one of our crafting workshops. And it’s also a newly widowed woman stopping by just to chat with us, because she “just needed to get out and go somewhere.” We love this community, and we are so happy to be able to provide the space for folks to step away from the hustle and bustle and connect with analog culture and with each other.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thedogearedpage.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedogearedpagedanville/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedogearedpagedanville/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-dog-eared-page-danville
