Tucked inside a historical Gilbert farmhouse, Literally A Bookshop feels less like a store and more like a story come to life. Owner Laura Sharp – who previously worked in higher education and project management – started the business as a traveling pop-up nearly four years ago, hoping the Valley would embrace an independent bookstore for young readers. “I waited for a long time for someone else to start a children’s bookstore,” she says. “And finally just decided to do it myself.”
Now in its permanent space, the shop has become a community hub, hosting book clubs, weekend story times and themed events designed to make reading fun. With about 70 percent of its inventory dedicated to children’s books – there is an area for parents to find their own reads – the store focuses on meeting young readers where they are. “If they love Minecraft or Dog Man, we’ll find books for them,” Sharp says. “Our goal is always to create connection through stories.”
Beyond books, the shop carries locally sourced gifts, from candles to handmade bookmarks, reinforcing its mission to support small businesses and foster community. “For our sideline items, we try to support other local small businesses whenever we can,” Sharp says. “We have a wall of local vendors, and we’re really fortunate to be part of such a creative community.”
– Kasturi Tale
Literally A Bookshop
397 S. Gilbert Rd., Gilbert
literallybookshop.com
FASHION: WMP Eyewear
David Bozek’s fashion career started in an unusual place: a farm in Poland. The sunglasses designer grew up in the Eastern European country, where he was inspired by his grandmother’s entrepreneurial spirit as she sold vegetables from the family farm. After he moved to Chicago with his family at 16, he started selling lollipops in high school. As an adult, he realized he wanted to establish a legitimate business – something accessible, yet high quality. His answer was WMP Eyewear, which he started at age 21 in his one-bedroom apartment. “I loved accessories… I like fashion, I like dressing up and being on top of trends,” Bozek says. “Sunglasses will probably never go out of style.” More than a decade later, his business vision is alive in Arizona, where he moved in the mid-2010s. The brand’s new mission supports animal welfare, a cause very close to Bozek’s heart. “I was raised with animals and three dogs,” he says. “When I came here in the U.S., I couldn’t believe how dogs and animals could be neglected.” Bozek is donating $5 for each pair of sunglasses sold from WMP’s latest collection to Phoenix rescue Sky Sanctuary. “Looking how the brand kind of evolved into where it is today… that kind of drives me.” wmpeyewear.com
– Eleri Mosier
