The Book Jewel
Featured in The Hometown News:
Neighborhood gem celebrates five years of books and community in the Triangle
When Karen Dial opened The Book Jewel in August 2020, it was the culmination of a lifelong dream to open a community book store in her beloved hometown of Westchester. The goal was to create a store that the whole neighborhood could treasure, that served as a “third place” (an informal gathering spot outside of home and work that fosters community), which felt welcoming, peaceful, and had a great selection of carefully curated books for people to browse and shop.
As the store readies to celebrate its fifth anniversary on Saturday, September 6, with a live band, refreshments and a book swap, Karen is proud that that’s exactly what she and her team have built.
The sense of community is right up front. We have a fabulous staff that is dedicated and excited to help people find what they are looking for and everyone is helpful and kind. We want to make sure that every resident in Playa del Rey and Westchester knows that there is an independent bookstore here, ready to serve and welcome them.