Johnston finally has bookstore

Residents of Johnston County have been wishing and hoping for a bookstore for years.

And while I can't say that a major chain has committed to the area, I am happy to say that there is now a bookstore option for residents.

Pauper's Books & More has opened at 11801 U.S. 70 West, in the Clayton Corners shopping center anchored by Lowes Foods.

The store sells used books, CDs, DVDs and audio books. It also buys books, CDs and DVDs.

The store is the brainchild of Patrick Kelly and his wife, Mandy. The Garner residents are both UNC graduates and share a love of reading and words. Mandy teaches English at Wake Tech.

"In the whole of Johnston County, there's no bookstore, period," Patrick Kelly said. "We just decided to do it."

Pauper's Books covers all genres, and has a section devoted to children's literature. The store is open seven days a week.

There's still no word on when one of the major bookstore chains will come to Johnston County, but this could be a promising step and is certainly another sign of the growth in that area.

In Orange County, Performance Bicycle will move its store from 404 E. Main St. in Carrboro to a larger location in the Eastgate Shopping Center at 1800 E. Franklin St. in Chapel Hill. The new store will open Dec. 12, but the old store will remain open past then with a closing date yet to be determined.

The Carrboro store has been open since 1987 and is one of 84 stores the Chapel Hill company operates in 15 states.

In downtown Raleigh, restaurateur Sam Yehia is opening his latest venture tonight, right next door to his Sam & Wally's restaurant in the BB&T building on South Salisbury Street. With a location very close to the downtown hotels and the new convention center, Global Toast will be a night spot for visitors and locals, serving food and cocktails.

... Also downtown, Posh Hair Concepts is open at 450 E. Davie St. ... And on Glenwood South, Dunkin' Donuts is open in the 222 Glenwood building.

OTHER ITEMS: At Triangle Town Center in Raleigh, Prima Shoes is open on the lower level near the food court. ... Also in Raleigh, at Crabtree Valley Mall, bankrupt apparel retailer Harold's will close as part of a chain-wide shut-down. No closing date has been set yet. ... In North Raleigh, the Zaxby's that took over the old Schlotzsky's space near Six Forks and Strickland roads will open Monday. ... In Raleigh's North Hills, Acorn women's apparel store is closing Nov. 23. ... In Durham, Randy's Pizza at 5311 S. Miami Blvd. is now open on Saturdays from noon to 8 p.m. ... In Cary, Planet Smoothie opens today in Stone Creek Village at High House Road and Davis Drive. ... In Holly Springs, Blissful Manicure Pedicure Lounge is open at 225 W. Center St., focusing on using earth-friendly products for nail treatments. ... And in Raleigh, The Savvy Lion has left Pirate's Chest Antiques at Cameron Village and moved to the newly expanded Hunt & Gather shop in High Park Village at Whitaker Mill Road and Bernard Street. The vendor of antiques, collectibles and interior design items will be taking part in an open house there Saturday.