The Flying Pig Bookstore opened in 1996 in the original Charlotte, Vermont post office. Ten years later, when our "towers of knowledge"—stacks of books on the floor—made it clear that we'd outgrown our building, we moved to Shelburne. Over the years, we've had an incredible bookselling staff, amazing visiting authors and artist, and countless creative, fun events. We've been honored with an award for Best Children's Bookstore in the country, two "best of" awards from Yankee Magazine, and The Wall Street Journal chose us as one of seven bookstores around the country that help serve as anchors for their wonderful towns. We feel so lucky to be part of our vibrant reading community and to play a small part in the lives of our many customers.
WHY THE NAME?
Originally (but no longer) a children's bookstore, founder Elizabeth Bluemle wanted a name with child appeal and whimsy. The name "Flying Pig" popped into her head, and it fit: the symbol of impossible dreams come true, the flying pig is the perfect representative for a little independent bookstore flapping into the challenging headwinds of commerce!
FLYING PIG STAFF MEMBERS
Elizabeth's parents said she learned to read at age 3, too impatient to wait for someone to read to her. She's been reading and loving books ever since. All of her jobs have involved books, writing, and/or kids. When she moved to Vermont in 1996, she planned to continue teaching, but then a "For Lease" sign appeared on this little building in our small town, and she just had a feeling that we should rent it and -- open a bookstore with her best friend, Josie Leavitt. She and Josie went from idea to execution in just ten weeks, with 6,500 books and a lot of optimism. Now, so many years later, the Flying Pig has more than 20,000 books in the store, and is still optimistic. Elizabeth is also a picture book author, with four titles published by Candlewick Press: My Father the Dog and How Do You Wokka-Wokka? (both illustrated by Randy Cecil), Dogs on the Bed (illustrated by Anne Wildsorf), and Tap Tap Boom Boom (illustrated by G. Brian Karas).
Emily has been bookselling at the Flying Pig since 2016. She loves literary fiction, books about our culture, and reading alongside her two middle grade kiddos. When Emily isn't at the bookstore, she's either with her St. Mike's students, skiing with her family, or deep in the woods with her pup! Really, though, all she wants to do is read. Right now, she's toggling between some "nutritious movement" books by Katy Bowman, Pat Barker's The Silence of the Girls, and Tracy Dionn's Legendborn.
Sacha is a big fan of books. Whoever invented them is probably pretty cool. Some favorite flavors of book include literary sci-fi, unconventional love stories, and essay collections (his favorite book of all-time is Slouching Towards Bethlehem). When not bookselling, he is often writing, doing some film photography, working out, or getting distracted at various Chittenden County junk shops. He also loves capybaras and long walks on the beach! He has been at the Flying Pig since late 2021.
Relentless pondering—toiling over the many tomes and tales of existential questioning, suffering, and catharsis new and old—is just the best!
- Axel
Sally: Hello, readers. I’m so happy to have recently been invited to join the amazing staff at Flying Pig. I’ve loved this bookstore as a customer, and now, what better way to learn more about books and other readers than to actually work here. A stroke of luck! My reading list has tripled in just a few short weeks!
Emeritus Bookseller and Flying Pig Co-Founder Josie: Josie Leavitt co-founded the Flying Pig Bookstore with Elizabeth in 1996, and left the store after 20 years to return to her roots in the nonprofit world (the *other* nonprofit world, ha). She is now Development Director at The Pride Center of Vermont. Josie can be found on stages throughout New England performing stand-up comedy. She can also be found doing the occasional volunteer shift at the Flying Pig, especially during the holidays.