Meet Paige Williams and her daughter Merryn, a mother-daughter team who each took a chance on her dream and helped each other make it come true. I cannot imagine the lovely little town of Lexington, Virginia without Paige’s book shop, Downtown Books, or Merryn’s beautiful watercolors. They are, indeed, Blue Ridge women who dare, and their story is inspiring.
Paige opened the bookshop in 2021, after spending years raising her three kids as the top priority. When her youngest got her driver’s license and a space came open in town, Paige knew it was time. With the support of her husband Jay, son Trey, affectionately described as “property of the US Air Force,” and daughters Merryn and Olivia, Paige made her dream of selling books come true.
Books have always been Paige’s passion. She dreamed of having her own bookstore since she was a little girl reading with her grandfather. As an adult, she tracked her favorite indie book shops, taking notes and photos in each one she visited to help shape her vision. Creating a cozy space where you can immerse yourself in books and the people who love them was her goal, and I’d say she hit the mark.
Her shop is airy, bright and always welcoming and festive. Especially eye-catching is her children’s section aimed at showing kids the joy of reading. It even includes sections on “kids’ cookbooks” and “emotions.” Based on the giggles heard in the background and my own grandsons’ seal of approval, Paige clearly seems to know her audience.
When I asked Paige how she chooses which books to carry, her face lit up as she explained that her focus is squarely on her customer. She stocks “what real people are actually reading,” not what some publisher’s list claims that other book shops are buying.
She makes it a point to “know” every book she carries, either from personal experience (I can attest she picks the best mystery/thrillers!) or from the feedback she gets from customers, friends and her own Downtown Literary Society. This is a group of about ten readers of diverse genres who gather regularly and share thoughtful reviews. As a customer, I love knowing that the books here are carefully curated and that I am part of a community.
Paige may have started Downtown Books for the love of reading, but her favorite part now is the people she meets. So many turn into regulars and friends, while others might be stopping by on their way to somewhere else. Although a self-described introvert, Paige admits she looks forward to seeing “who will walk through the door today,” including some fury visitors. There is even a certain yellow lab named “Toni” who Paige doggy sits for now whenever Toni’s mom visits Lexington.
Paige admits that while she had a clear idea of what kind of books she would sell and how she would create the perfect space, she had a lot to learn about websites, marketing, and the business side of things.
Luckily her uber-talented daughters stepped in to help: Oliva came up with the perfect way to track inventory, and Merryn stepped in to design the website and a spectacular logo that really captures the essence of Paige’s brand. It’s a watercolor, of course, Merryn’s favorite medium as an artist.
Which brings us to Merryn, a Blue Ridge Woman Who Dares in her own right, having the courage to launch Merryn Williams Designs at age 20. Merryn started off in 2018 doing pet portraits, stickers, cards, and eventually wedding stationery. Now, 6 years later, she is focused on private commissions, as well as textiles, cards, and art prints available at Downtown Books. She is even branching out into illustrations. (Pssst: stay tuned for a soon-to-be released children’s book called “Otis, The Kindergarten Cat,” written by Greg Shaw and illustrated by Merryn. You’re welcome.)
Interestingly, Merryn studied Interior Design at Virginia Tech, believing that it was at least “close enough” to art and encompassed many of her other design interests. She even had interviews lined up at big design firms, but when the pandemic surfaced, luckily the interviews got canceled.
Merryn’s story serendipitously includes a chapter set in a place I firmly believe every woman should visit when they are looking to discover their passion: Merryn went to Italy! She studied architectural history and design in Florence for six glorious weeks in 2018. As part of the class, she was required to carry a sketchbook and a small watercolor palette. That summer brought her back to art, and just like that the trajectory changed, and Merryn went all in on a career as an artist. (I told you Italy is THE place.) She founded Merryn Williams Designs just a month after returning.
She admits that there were surely some bumps on the road. In her first year she burned out working crazy long hours, taking even jobs that paid less because her sole focus had become the dreaded “bottom line.” She has lost her “why,” her purpose.
Today she has learned how to discern which jobs are right for her and how to dream big. Instead of the heavy wedding invitation load, Merryn makes time for more commissioned work, creating new prints, and exploring how she might license some of her designs to make them available to even more people.
She is also grateful. She openly says she could not have done any of it without her mother’s unwavering support. It’s true that Paige is her biggest fan and proudly displays Merryn’s artwork in the bookstore. But more than that, Paige led by example. She showed her daughter that amazing things can happen when you decide to take a chance on yourself.
Thank you, Paige and Merryn, for all you do to make Lexington an even better place and for helping me inspire all of you to ignite your passion, live your purpose, and make a difference.
Stop by Downtown Books, 34 S Main Street in Lexington or visit www.downtownbookslexva.com and check out Merryn’s work at www.merrynwilliamsdesigns.com
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