Lit. On Fire Used Books has moved to a new Main Street location right next door to the Costume Trunk! It’s a bigger space so that means more books, but you’ll see as you scroll down, that there’s more to this store than just used books. In fact if this store was a book, there’d be twelve chapters to it. Read on and you’ll see what I mean!
Here we are at the new Lit. On Fire storefront on Main Street. If the storefront looks familiar it’s because this is the space formerly known as the Art Garage, which I did several posts on through the years. The Art Garage's owner, Jessica Ball closed the store and you can see what she’s up to these days by checking out her website and facecrack page. I hated to see the Art Garage close, but I was happy when I heard that Lit. On Fire was moving in and that this space will be used for another cool local business. The sign says, “Open” so let’s go inside and see the new version of Lit. On Fire Used Books!
Wow, it’s so big in here and look at all the books! Quite an impressive inventory but before we look at those, let’s go say hi to a familiar face tucked away back there in the corner. It’s Jessica the owner and founder of Lit. On Fire! She said that she’s happy in the new store and that business has been brisk which is great to hear! She said we were free to take a tour of the place and that’s when I realized that this new store has a lot of dimensions to it. As I said in the introduction, if Lit. On Fire were an actual book, it would have twelve chapters, so let’s check out this store, chapter by chapter!
Chapter One: Jewelry and Gifts
Jessica is making use of this expanded space by selling handmade, one-of-a-kind jewelry in the store. The jewelry is made locally at the Phloxy Lee Studio. There’s a large variety of jewelry including necklaces, earrings and bracelets and it’s all handmade and beautiful! And you can also get a Get Lit. tote bag to carry that jewelry in as well as a Get LIt. coffee mug up at the front counter.
Chapter Two: Lounging Around
Jessica encourages customers to sit down and browse through the books at their leisure. There’s several lounging spots in the store where you can get lost in a book and let the worries of the world drift away for a while.
Chapter Three: The Patio Experience
In the back of the store is a door that leads to a nice patio! It’s going to be a little chilly for this right now, but Jessica says she has plans for some events out here in the spring and summer of 2018...2018? How did that happen so fast! I love the mural on the wall out here and that brings us to the next chapter in the store!
Chapter Four: The Art Gallery and Studio
There’s a lot of art inside of the store and it’s all done by local artists. The moon over the Peoria skyline mural is by Kagan Masters and below that the I Am Enough mural was painted by the resident artist at Studios on Sheridan Jaci Musec. Jessica is a collage artist and some of her work is for sale in the shop. There’s also sharpie markers for customers that want to leave quotes and art on the bookshelves in the store. And you can also make your very own custom bookmarks in here!
Chapter Five: Events, Events...Events!
Jessica hosts a lot of unique and fun events in the store and some of the upcoming ones include: an open mic night which is happening tonight, an overnight adult read-in and a Golden Ticket Giveaway! These are all different and fun happenings and you can keep up on all of Get Lit.’s events by checking out the updates on the Get Lit. website.
Chapter Six: Books
Of course the main attraction here is the large inventory of used books in here. You could spend hours browsing the books in the shelves in the front room here.
Chapter Seven: Books On A Cart And Stacks Of Books
There’s also books on a cart and they’re stacked all over the store as well and as you can see, there’s all kinds of genres of books in here.
Chapter Eight: Local Author...I Mean Authors!
There’s a whole bookcase dedicated to local authors from Peoria and I never knew so many local writers have had books published! For some reason the MBIP Camera only took a photo of this section, it’s like it has a mind of its own! Oh well, you can come in and check out the other authors when you’re in here!
Chapter Nine: The Back Room Beckons...
As if that wasn’t enough books, there’s even more in the back room here! I think Jessica has doubled her inventory in this place and I love it!
Chapter Ten: Dan Brown And Using Children As Drawing Tools
Wow, I knew that Dan Brown was an actor and a man of the arts, but I had no idea he’s also an author! And I was a little shaken by the book, “Drawing With Children.” That sounds somewhat cruel and messy to me, so I’ll stick with a pen and ink, thank you very much!
Chapter Twelve: The Get Lit. Zine
Jessica publishes a zine called Get Lit. featuring local writers and artists. The zine is done in both black and white and in full color and can be purchased here at the store and you can check it out online right here.
The End (Actually The Beginning)
When I was in New York last summer I went to The Strand Bookstore and found these two items and I’ve been saving them for a business-warming present for Jessica! If this was a real book, this would be the end, but since it’s actually a business, this is only the beginning! Good luck with the new store, Jessica and everyone should stop by, check it out and buy your books (and jewelry and art) locally! We’ll see you all tomorrow!
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712 W Main Street
Peoria
309-634-5383
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Related Posts: Get Lit. W/MBIP, The Flame Burns On and Lit. On Fire: Reinspired Party.