How did two Americans from Massachusetts end up in a tiny village in southeast England?
Cate Olson: We were booksellers in Marblehead for many years. We made frequent trips to England to buy books—Robert Graves was a particular passion—and ended up falling in love with the country. Sussex ended up as our base of operations 13 years ago. It’s a charming village [population, approximately 700] with medieval roots. We were immediately embraced by the community, and other independent bookshops have sprung up around us. Booksellers are a congenial group.
In what way does the shop serve as a hub for the community?
CO: In addition to selling new, used, and antiquarian books, we host authors’ talks, artists’ workshops, and craft lessons. Our Prospero’s Project is a cozy spot to read quietly, commune with others, and enjoy a cup of tea. The project also includes social outreach components whose mission includes donating books to food banks.
Tell us about your connection to Charleston Farmhouse.
CO: Charleston was the home and headquarters for the Bloomsbury Group, made up of writers, painters, and other major intellectuals of the early 20th century, including Vanessa Bell, her sister Virginia Woolf, Duncan Grant, John Maynard Keynes, and Lytton Strachey. We’ve been fascinated by Bloomsbury since reading a New Yorker article in 1995, and now we’re able to host talks and other events in the restored space.
Does the design of the shop enhance its appeal?
Nash Robbins: We are housed mainly in a converted 19th-century barn within a former builder’s yard, which adds to its coziness. People can stroll through the spaces, take books outside—where there are chickens—and enjoy the lovely surroundings. We often move things around a bit within the store to change the view. And we love antiques and bold colors. We think of it as not just a shop, but an experience.
Is it difficult to be a bookseller in the internet age?
NR: There are so many distractions these days. But [in our case], a bookshop helps support a healthy, vibrant community. It has become a destination.
