When Serendipity Books had to move locations in Chelsea, Michigan, they didn’t know what to do. Fortunately, a 300-strong ‘Book Brigade’ helped them out.
When a beloved bookstore had to move to a new location, anxieties began to run high. Booksellers typically operate on fairly tight budgets, so how much was a move like this going to cost? And how long would it take to complete such a mammoth task?
Fortunately for Serendipity Books and for the Michigan community it serves so admirably, local residents stepped in. They formed a ‘Book Brigade’: a human chain that could quickly, efficiently, and safely, move the books to the new location. It was a shining example of what is possible when a community comes together.
The Serendipity Bookstore
Serendipity has been a fixture in the landscape of Chelsea, Michigan, for almost 30 years. The town, 60 miles from the state’s primary city Detroit, is home to 5,300 people and is known as a place where community spirit is important.
Since 1997, people have been visiting the bookstore in search of great titles, but also for the warm and friendly atmosphere that only a local bookseller can provide. Since 2017, the store has been owned by Michelle Tuplin, who relies on her small team of dedicated booksellers to keep the business going.
So, when Michell discovered the store would have to move locations in early 2025, she was worried. Even though they weren’t moving far – just a block – they didn’t have the resources to handle the move themselves. Hiring a professional moving outfit would take a hefty chunk out of the store’s budget. It could have been disastrous.
An Outpouring of Community Support
In January 2025, Michelle and her team announced their plan. They would be handling the move themselves, but they were calling upon their beloved fellow Chelsea residents to help them out. Over the next few months, momentum began to build, and soon dozens of people were volunteering to lend a hand.
By the time the move began in April, 300 townspeople turned up to join them. They were organised into two lines, stretching along the roadside in Chelsea’s downtown area. One by one, books were passed from person to person down the line, turning the corner at Chelsea’s Main Street, and then continuing the journey to the new location.
In total, 9,100 books were transferred this way. Titles were passed between volunteers, who commented on the books as they passed.
“Oh, I’ve not read this one for years,” or “this one’s great, you should give it a try.”
All in all, it took only two hours to complete the move.
The helpful volunteers even assisted in placing the items on the shelves once they reached the other end. In alphabetical order, of course.
An Incredible Response
Three hundred people is a good response by anyone’s standards, but it’s even more incredible when you consider the size of the town. Almost 6% of the town came along and helped out. It’s a bit like putting out a call right across the USA and having the whole of New York State show up.
This is because of two very special things: Serendipity Books and the town of Chelsea itself. Kaci Friss, an employee at Serendipity who grew up in the town and had this to say:
“It’s a small town and people just really look out for each other,” Kaci said. “Anywhere you go, you are going to run into someone you know or who knows you, and is going to ask about your day.”
For Michelle herself, the response was a little overwhelming.
“I had no idea how far we would get and if we would even make it that far,” she said. “When I came down the steps of the old store and I saw this line… I really struggled to hold it together.”
But for the residents who came to do their part, many were just happy to be involved.
“We loved helping! What a great experience to be a part of!” one person said on TikTok.
“I actually got goosebumps,” said another.
Community Cornerstones
The story of Serendipity Books and the people of Chelsea, Michigan, is a heartwarming one. It reminds us just how important bookstores are to towns, villages, and communities, right across the world.
Of course, it’s booklovers and bibliophiles who get a special feeling whenever they step into one of these local shops, but their value goes far beyond that.
From providing event spaces, connecting people with their next favorite book, or even just offering a place where people can stop in for a chat, local bookstores perform a crucial set of services.
In this digital-first world, it’s easy to lose sight of that. It’s wonderful that those 300 people in Michigan did not.
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John Burns
John has been writing ever since he was small, and is delighted to be able to make his living as a writer now he’s not quite so small. Literature has always been a big part of John’s life, and he loves sharing this passion with readers from all over the world.
