First black-owned children’s bookstore in Raleigh moving amid threat claims
By Glyniss Wiggins, Mariah Ellis
On April 2, 2024
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — Liberation Station Bookstore, the first black-owned children’s bookstore in North Carolina is closing and claims it will reopen elsewhere after store officials said they have been receiving threats, less than a year from when it opened in Raleigh.
Store owner Victoria Scott-Miller said on Facebook that they have faced numerous threats since September.
Scott-Miller said, “Some [threats] we brushed off, while others included disturbing phone calls detailing what our son Langston wore when he was at the shop alone.”
“In response, we’ve been strategizing within our means to avoid being targeted. This has involved frequently changing our operating hours, generating content after hours and taking turns between my husband and me to oversee the store. Despite the challenges, our bookstore has brought immense joy, and we’ve been determined not to become another headline of controversy. We’ve worked tirelessly to create a safe space not just for our community but for our own family as well,” she continued in the post.
The Raleigh Police Department said Tuesday said they are aware of the social media posts related to Liberation Station but received “no calls for service” related to “any harassment or threats” at the store.
Liberation Station Bookstore opened last year in downtown Raleigh. Scott-Miller told CBS 17 a big inspiration for opening her bookstore was to be an advocate for her two boys and also give back to the community as well.
On Tuesday, police said they want to hear from businesses about any problems like those mentioned by Scott-Miller.
“The Raleigh Police Department encourages our community to contact us for any harassment or threats being made to them, their business, or their customers,” police told CBS 17 in a news release.
Police added in a statement, “The safety and well-being of our business owners and visitors to our downtown area is a priority and we have worked closely with our stakeholders to deter and prevent crime and disorder in our downtown business core.”
The bookstore released information about their plans.
“Over the next few weeks, we will remain operational until Saturday, April 13th and afterwards we will begin our move forward. Any remaining inventory will be donated to literacy non-profits throughout the Triangle. Collectively we will go back to the drawing board to reassess and redefine what we will need in our next location,” Scott-Miller said in another post, “We want to thank everyone for the calls and messages of encouragement.”
This piece was republished from CBS 17 News.