Some people dive wholeheartedly into their hobbies, while others turn passion into purpose. Such is the case with Jamie Degler.
Degler has always had a passion for books. In fact, tucking herself into a cozy nook with a good read is one of her favorite pastimes, and one that she wanted to share with others in her community. In 2018 she did exactly that by opening the doors to Turn the Page.
“I have always loved to read,” she says. “With the development of downtown Westfield, I thought a bookstore would be a wonderful addition. I was incredibly blessed that everything came together, which allowed me to follow my passion.”
Turn the Page is a warm, welcoming independent bookstore located in the heart of downtown Westfield. The store is packed with books from a variety of genres and has something for all ages, including a dedicated children’s area. Patrons are invited to leisurely stroll the stacks and then stay awhile to delve into a new selection.
“I want the store to be a place of relaxation,” says Degler. “We have a small sitting space and a sweet little porch where many can sit and enjoy their books.”
Degler wants Turn the Page to be more than a welcoming place to read. She wants to create conversations for Westfield residents. “Our staff is truly unique,” she says. “We are knowledgeable and available to suggest your next read or help you find whatever you’re looking for. If you don’t see something, we’ll order it for you. Helping customers and chatting about books is our primary focus.”
To help further those conversations, Turn the Page also hosts two book clubs that are open to the public and don’t require sign-up. Patrons are invited to come and go as they please. One book club focuses on a variety of genres, meeting every third Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. and every third Wednesday at 3 p.m. The second group focuses solely on rom-coms and meets on the last Wednesday of every month at 7 p.m.
Turn the Page also offers quarterly subscription boxes available for purchase for youths and adults. These well-loved packages come stocked with two books and a candle for adults, and two books, a bookmark and a candy stick for kids. These unique subscription boxes make great gifts and delight book lovers in Westfield and beyond.
Additionally, Degler hopes to create more community inclusion by partnering with others to showcase what small businesses have to offer Westfield. She encourages book lovers to check back for upcoming events, which will include murder-mystery parties, silent reading at Urban Apples, book preview events and author signings.
Degler hopes these events will expose Westfield and the surrounding areas to the vibrant small-business offerings in the area. “It’s really important for people to know that we can only exist and keep the doors open with their support,” she says. “There are many places to buy books, so making the choice to shop and support us really makes a huge difference that most people just simply aren’t aware of.”
To learn more about Turn the Page, visit their website at turnthepagewestfield.com.
