A Conversation with Lyn Rumage of My Sister’s Books & Gifts

By Karen Owens
Publisher

A bookstore’s next chapter can be about more than the books on its shelves. For Lyn Rumage, owner of My Sister’s Books & Gifts, it’s about creating a welcoming place where readers, families, authors and neighbors can connect.

I first discovered My Sister’s Books through the Moveable Feast monthly literary luncheons, the brainchild of longtime literary publisher Linda Ketron. The bookstore partners with Ketron to handle online reservations and ticket sales. After signing up for the store’s email updates to keep Gazette readers informed, I received a message last week promising “to do a new thing.” Intrigued, I reached out to Rumage to learn about the bookstore—and the ideas she hopes will shape its future.

Georgetown SC Gazette:

My Sister’s Books was established in 2002, and you and your husband purchased it in 2025. What inspired you to turn your interest in books into this new chapter?

Lyn Rumage, owner of My Sister’s Books & Gifts:

My background is in marketing, especially in the nonprofit arena, but I’ve always wanted to own a bookstore. I love to read and write. One day, I was visiting the nail salon next door and needed to pick up some items from the veterinarian’s office on the other side of the bookstore. I noticed a sign in the bookstore window saying they were looking for new owners. I called my husband, we talked it over, and here we are!

Georgetown SC Gazette: 

With e-readers and audiobooks offering so many choices, what keeps people coming back to a book they can hold in their hands?

Lyn Rumage:

I think the tactile experience of reading a book is still very satisfying for many people. During story time, young children love touching the books and pointing to the pictures. We also offer puzzles and crafts, including bedazzling books and decoupage, that add to the fun and learning.

For our young-at-heart, long-time avid readers, many enjoy the familiarity of turning the pages rather than reading on a screen.

Georgetown SC Gazette:

Your nonprofit background seems to carry into the store. How are you helping customers connect with local organizations—and with one another?

Lyn Rumage:

We’ve hosted activities and fundraisers for local nonprofits, including Baskervill Food Pantry, All4Paws, A Father’s Place and the Family Justice Center. Many people who come into the store are new to the area. They want to get involved but don’t yet know about these groups. We’re happy to share information that introduces them to the organizations and may help them find a place to volunteer or donate.

As our area has grown, some people have found it challenging to meet others and make connections. Our monthly book clubs offer a way to do that. We discuss a featured book and serve refreshments, typically on the third Monday of the month. Our website calendar has the details. We’ve also welcomed existing book clubs that wanted to use our space for their meetings.

We also enjoy supporting budding entrepreneurs. We’ve worked with local bakers who were just getting started, showcasing some of their goodies. We hope to do more of that in the future.

Georgetown SC Gazette:

Let’s turn to the “new thing” in your email. You’re launching a crowdfunding effort to reimagine the store. What would customers see—and experience—if those plans come to life?

Lyn Rumage: 

To stay competitive, we need to offer more than books. We’d like to add a small café with seasonal baked goods and curated beverages for customers to enjoy during their visits. We also inherited a large inventory of used books and hope to thin it out to make room for more new releases. New carpet, fresh paint and refurbished shelving would help us update the space and make it more comfortable.

We want to offer more children’s story times and crafts that build imagination and confidence, and give local authors and artisans more opportunities to share their work. We’d love for families to make memories here—playing games, decorating freshly baked cookies or taking part in creative workshops. The goal is a welcoming space that supports all these programs.

Running an independent bookstore is challenging. We hope people will support our Happiness Lives Here campaign to help strengthen the store and bring this next chapter to life. We’ll also recognize those who help make it possible through our Founding Storymakers recognition.

Donating isn’t the only way to help. Tell your friends about My Sister’s Books, shop in-store or online, and share your positive experiences on social media. Every one of those actions helps spread the word.

As publisher of the Gazette, I’m happy to share this story in the hope that it resonates with readers and fellow book lovers, inspiring support for a local entrepreneur. In nurturing My Sister’s Books & Gifts, Lyn offers our community a priceless gift: the chance to be transformed by books.