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How the ‘scariest moment’ of a South Jersey’s woman’s life prompted her to open a Jane Austen-themed bookstore

After a breast cancer scare last year, Charity Herndon decided to pursue her dream of opening a bookshop. The result is a Jane Austen-themed mobile bookstore called Austen’s Shelf. “In the scariest moment of my life, this [store] was just the peace that carried me through,” Herndon said. “I’m hoping that when people come into the store, that they feel that same amount of peace and that they feel at home.” In designing the space, Herndon’s goal was to create something akin to Jane Austen’s sitting room. Nods to the British author, a longtime favorite of hers, are woven throughout the colorful 98-square-foot space, whether by way of a vase inspired by “Pride and Prejudice,” copies of her books, or ones inspired by them.
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