BY KATELYN RUTT
Nestled on Lassiter Mill Road with its signature purple door, Quail Ridge Books is much more than a bookstore. It’s a cultural hub, a third‑place haven and a tribute to the unifying influence of literature—a stalwart against the changes and challenges brought by four decades.
The Quail Ridge story wouldn’t be what it is without Nancy Olson, a spunky Raleigh transplant with a passion for literature. When establishing the bookstore in 1984, Olson had one foundational mission: to establish an environment where readers could explore incredible literature and hardworking authors could be recognized.
Olson was a valiant supporter of Southern literature, forging connections with authors like Charles Frazier, Kaye Gibbons, Jill McCorkle and Lee Smith during their emergence onto the American literary landscape. Her penchant for exploring both books and new places, combined with her knack for connecting with people, was instrumental in showcasing the significance of independent bookstores.
“She was a force of nature,” says Trish Coffey, a devoted member of the Quail Ridge Books team since 1998. “Nancy showed how indies could be big for authors. Quail Ridge started getting really big authors in exchange.”
In 2013, Olson passed the baton to Lisa Poole, a community-minded business owner with a determination to uphold and expand the bookstore’s heritage—despite the changing retail landscape. “For us, the more things change, the more they stay the same,” says Poole. “We’ve maintained the same desire to put books into people’s hands, stock the best-quality literature and provide a venue for the public to experience events with their favorite authors.”
Poole reflects on the bookstore’s strategic move to North Hills, a location that captured Olson’s interest many years ago. After extensive touring, the team purchased a nearby bridal shop and skater shop with direct access to the beltline. The merging of the spaces allowed for a comprehensive bookstore with expanded offerings—including an upstairs area for offices, a wider selection of book genres, and dedicated spaces for book clubs and writing classes.
“It also allowed me to put my stamp on Quail Ridge Books as the new owner,” says Poole. “The public has been overwhelmingly positive. And we’re quite happy there.”
Quail Ridge Books is unique in its unwavering commitment to customer service and community connection. In fact, it’s apparent that these principles are woven into every layer of the bookstore’s functions.
“People come in looking for a book or to kill some time, but they come back because we are welcoming,” says Ginger Kautz, Quail Ridge’s general manager. “Our booksellers are readers and community members, too, so we know the value of the right book at the right time.”
Quail Ridge Books’ involvement in the Triangle goes far beyond its walls—from supplying materials to local schools to stocking the lobbies of theaters, museums, convention centers and more. “In an increasingly online world, we need these opportunities to connect on a human level,” says Poole.
Mamie Potter, a team member since 1996, reflects on a memory that captures the unique spirit of the independent bookstore.“Mark Helprin, the amazing writer of one of my all-time favorite books, ‘A Soldier of the Great War,’ was once told by his publisher that they were only sending him to the larger independent bookstores for his newest book. He insisted that they send him to Quail Ridge Books because of the support he had been given by Nancy and the staff,” she says.
Today, these strong bonds are not only evident between staff and authors, but also between Quail Ridge Books and its loyal customer base. These long-time guests are among some of the most knowledgeable “historians” of the bookstore, having observed its many changes over the past 40 years.
“We stay true to our roots, which shows in which subjects and genres we prioritize in our displays, layout and buying decisions,” says Kautz. “And at the same time, Quail Ridge Books changes and grows as Raleigh changes and grows. I think both the continuity with our history and that flexibility that we have to shape who we become next are beautiful aspects of independent bookstores.”
Kautz’s vision for the bookstore’s future is simple: “That we’ll be opening the doors to yet another generation of readers. Sometimes people come in and let us know that they’ve been coming to Quail Ridge Books since they were a kid, so now they’re bringing their little ones to our story times. There’s really no greater compliment.”
With Poole and the dedicated Quail Ridge team at the helm, the bookstore is set to remain the welcoming sanctuary in Raleigh that it has been for 40 years—a place where the magic of independent bookselling thrives. Plus, there’s always new, book-inspired magic in store for Quail Ridge. “I may have a few tricks up my sleeve,” says Poole. “Stay tuned!”
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