The Paradox Bookstore is located at 2228 Market St. in Centre Market, and it is the oldest bookstore in the state of W.Va.
The store first opened in 1974 and was first run by Tom Stobart. The store was originally located on 11th Street and in downtown Wheeling, W.Va., and it moved in 1978 to its current location. Stobart opened the store when he was a 20-year-old playwright because he originally thought it would be a good idea to open a bookstore because he thought it would be a fun way to pass the time one summer before he headed back to N.Y.
Instead, he ended up staying in Wheeling, and since then the store has been running. The business originally got its name because Stobart and one of his friends came up with it because they thought it sounded cool, and ever since then it has been known as The Paradox Bookstore.
Stobart was facing health problems, and that put the store at risk of possibly having to close. So, the store was then taken over by his longtime family friend April Childers, who has owned and run the store for about the past five years. Unfortunately, Stobart has since passed away, but Childers has continued keeping The Paradox Bookstore up and running so the legacy of the historic bookstore can continue to live on for many years to come.
Childers stated, “I have multiple sclerosis and used to be in a wheelchair, and this was one of the first places I wanted to come after I went through therapy and was able to walk again. My father and Tom were really good friends, so one day I came into the bookstore with my children, and Tom asked me if I wanted to start running the bookstore, and I have been here ever since.
“Our store doesn’t really have set hours, but the sign on the front door is pretty accurate regarding the hours that we are open. The store hasn’t changed much and it has been this way for my entire life and when you walk in and you feel like you’ve stepped back in time,” she explained. “I often compare our store to the one that is seen within the Harry Potter films because anytime you walk in, you never know what you might find here. I think one of the best parts of our store is that when people walk in here, they don’t always expect to see the books to be scattered throughout the store and unorganized. I think it makes it fun for people because when they come in here, they always find something new.”
Devlin, her son, said, “Since it is the oldest bookstore in West Virginia, it is an interesting place to come to just check out books. We also use an old cash register that is from the 1940s.”
The Paradox Bookstore has over 20,000 books currently in stock. From mysteries, romance novels, to classic literature, you will be able to find it within their store. They also have a collection of vintage records as well as comic books and sheet music. They also carry rare and antique books. Tarot card readings which started within the past few months, take place, as well.
At the front entrance right outside of the store, there is a bookshelf featuring a message that perfectly exemplifies the uniqueness of the store. The sign explains that anyone needing a book may take one and pay for it later, or exchange a book for a book, or you may take one at no cost if you have a desire to read but you cannot afford to purchase a book.
The sign, in fact, made national news about a decade ago.
Childers said, “All of them in our store, books are under 3 dollars. We want to make sure that everyone who wants to is able to read. Most books range in price between 50 cents to 3 dollars which makes them pretty affordable.”
Childers said that the best part of owning The Paradox Bookstore has been getting the chance to meet many interesting people. The customers that come to visit the store are often as unique as the store itself.
She is also hoping that over time the store can become even more of an asset to the Wheeling community. Over the summer, the store does a program that lets kids get free books. They are also in the process of building up their current selection of Black history books as well. And finally, she also hopes to find ways that the store can be a resource for homeschooled students throughout the Ohio Valley.
If you’re interested in learning more about the Paradox Bookstore, you can visit their Facebook page, or if you’re interested in browsing the store yourself, you might want to check it out the next time you find yourself in Centre Market.
