When I read the news of our little family bookstore in downtown Canton closing I was greatly saddened. Not because this was one more loss in small business America in these troubling times, but the loss of another visionary man’s dream.
Farris Yawn started Yawn’s Books and More five years ago on Historic Main Street in Downtown Canton.
Lynne and I moved to Cherokee County six years ago when we built our horse farm in Lathemtown. I have always been a history buff and started checking out Cherokee and Historic Downtown Canton soon after we settled into our new horse farm.
The first place I visited was Yawn’s Bookstore. Farris Yawn and his family warmly welcomed me to their family bookstore. I also love books more than all their new techy replacements.
I came away with books on Historic Cherokee and Canton and felt like I had new friends in the book business. I don’t get that same feeling when I go to the big chain bookstores.
Nine years ago in a little family bookstore near our second home in the Colorado Rockies, I had a similar relationship with the owner there.
I asked her how to go about publishing my first book. She stopped what she was doing and found a local author who happened to be browsing in the store and introduced us.
This delightful lady, now an author of a number of books, was like an answer to prayer. She said a publisher in Ft. Collins, Colo., was wonderful with new authors. To shorten this story, she was right and thanks to her I published my first book in the fall of 2004.
I also attended several Downtown Business meetings at Yawn’s. I’m glad Farris has said he’s not closing, just changing gears.
We need families like the Yawns, that was, has and will help America keep its roots. Farris, I’ll watch for your next vision to unfold. God Bless You, and God Bless America.
Zac Henderson
Lathemtown
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