The Great Bend Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting on Thursday, Dec. 18, to celebrate the opening of The Velvet Bookmark, a new micro bookstore located inside The Beauty Bar salon at 1409 Main Street.
The Velvet Bookmark is the creation of two friends, Megan Barfield and Shelly Peacock, who share a long-standing love of reading, particularly within the romance genre. Their curated selection features romantasy, cozy reads, and a wide range of romance sub-genres that make up 99 percent of their inventory. The remaining 1 percent is dedicated to a small section of used books, which may be accepted upon review to ensure they align with the store’s niche.
The concept behind the bookstore is rooted in friendship and a shared enthusiasm for storytelling. As the owners describe it, “Two friends. One shared obsession with books. Sharing the books they love.” This phrase, which the pair often reference when talking about their vision, captures the heart of their new venture.
Both Megan and Shelly bring strong ties to the small business community. Shelly owned and operated her own business for several years, while Megan currently serves as the President and CEO of the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce, supporting local businesses in her daily work. Neither plans to leave their current careers, but both saw an opportunity to create a welcoming space for fellow book lovers. Megan, who is on track to read more than 100 books this year, brings her personal passion for reading to the project.
The Velvet Bookmark operates during The Beauty Bar’s regular hours, typically Tuesday through Friday with select Saturdays. The space offers a cozy environment for readers to browse, discover new authors, and connect with others who enjoy the romance genre.
The owners plan to host a themed event once a month to bring fellow book lovers together. Since opening, they have already organized multiple gatherings that have been well attended and warmly received by the community.
You can find more information about The Velvet Bookmark and their upcoming events on Facebook and Instagram.