Tampa Heights welcomes Inkwood Books, Tampa’s only locally owned independent bookstore providing new books. After 26 years situated on 216 S. Armenia Ave., the bookstore is relocating to 1809 N Tampa St, in Tampa Heights, a historic and lively center amid Ybor city, Downtown Tampa and Seminole Heights. The new location resides only a five-minute drive from Hillsborough Community Colleges Ybor campus.
  Quirky and cozy, the old location occupies a 1920s mint green home encompassed by a wide white porch. Wooden bookshelves line quaint rooms enclosing a broad selection of genres that range from mystery, science fiction and history, to fantasy, biography and self-help.
  According to Inkwood Books owner Stefani Beddingfield, her lease was coming up, and the landlords that own the property decided to put it on the market prompting the move. “I wasn’t really looking that hard, but I moved to Tampa heights in January, and I really like the neighborhood,” she said.
  A community of vibrant businesses surrounds the new bookstore location. “My brother was opening a coffee shop across the street at The Hall. I had done some events with Hidden Springs Brewery before. I knew Foundation Coffee was here, Café Hey, the yoga place, and there is a little plant nursery,” Beddingfield said.
  The new space, a larger, contemporary and more industrial building contributes to Inkwood Books evolution. “We will expand our collection because it’s bigger. We will have more space for more books and more sections. I think because of the space we will be able to host larger events” Beddingfield said.
  The No. 1 New York Times-bestselling author of the Six of Crows Duology and the Grisha Trilogy, Leigh Bardugo will be having an event at the new location for her release “The language of Thorns” Sept. 27. Readers can pre-order the book at inkwoodbooks.com.
  Responding to the needs of the community is essential for Beddingfield. She wants people to feel welcome that you belong and you have something for you there. “That’s probably the most important thing and the goal that I will have in this move,” she said.
  “I want to know what people want to read, so and because are small we cater to that,” Beddingfield said. “You will have people come in and ask for a book or a section, like a sci-fi section. We did not have one in the older store, but now we do,” She said. Beddingfield explained that she had one of her customers who loved to read sci-fi help her choose the books.
  “That’s the beauty of owning something small like an independent bookstore,” she said.
Encountering locally owned businesses in Tampa has become a rarity amongst the throng of Barnes and Nobles, Starbucks and Panera Breads. Regaining connection with the community is paramount.
  “It’s definitely a positive thing, this concept, this area and what happening here, although you have to support it. You have to constantly be vigilant, or it goes away,“ Beddingfield said.