Where We Came From

My name is Lauri, and I own The Story Peddler. I've lived in Bellville since 2004. I taught high school English at Faith Academy from 2010 until 2023, when I had to retire due to chronic illness. When I submitted my resignation, I thought I would be working from home as a freelance editor. Then I heard this crazy rumor that The Perk, a local coffee shop, was for sale. I know nothing about owning a coffee shop, but I didn’t want Bellville to lose The Perk, so I did some investigating.

My research led me to meet Marcus and Carrie Poffenberger, who told me they co-owned The Perk with Ashleigh Leazer. Our conversation developed into a vision of a bookstore/coffee shop partnership in Bellville, and soon we had a plan for how to make it happen. On August 18, 2023, The Story Peddler opened for business. Now we have a unique setup that allows customers to pass between the bookstore and the coffee shop for a book and coffee experience unlike any other.

My older son and I always thought that one of the more iconic buildings in Bellville would make a great bookstore and coffee shop, but I never dreamed I would own a bookstore. Then I heard a rumor…