An iconic and beloved Jackson, Mississippi independent bookstore is celebrating 50 years of business.
John Evans opened Lemuria Book Store in 1975 in an apartment in the back of a shopping center. Located next to the best bar and a ladies clothing store, Evans said, because even if the bookstore didn’t pan out, “at least we’ll have pretty ladies walk by and a place to go drink.”
Evans and his wife spent all of their savings – around $8000 – to build bookcases and inventory and started selling books. Their first sale on October 20, 1975, was James Joyce’s Stephen Hero to an eclectic English major at a local college.
About 90 days after opening Lemuria’s doors, Evans said he was “so glad we located [next to the bar] there because I was immediately able to go get a job waiting tables.”…