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Witch-themed bookshop opening soon
A book lover who spent much of her childhood in a funeral home is fulfilling her lifelong dream of opening a witch-themed bookshop.
Monika Killer, who previously worked in marketing at an app development company, is bringing the Haunted Bookshop to Bristol, where “the weird and unusual will be embraced with open arms”.
Her new venture, opening on Stokes Croft in mid-July what used to be Shambarber, will be a shop and venue specialising in horror, fantasy and folklore books, as well as “witchy” gifts with reading nooks and drinks counters.
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Deciding to open the shop just before her 30th birthday, Monika said she has “come to comprehend that being the black sheep and standing out from the crowd is far more fun than blending in”.
Monika comes from a long line of bookshop owners, including her Lithuanian grandmother who owned a bookshop as well as a funeral home.
She described her childhood as “reading poetry one moment and playing hide and seek between caskets the next”.
Monika believes the old barbers on Stokes Croft is the perfect site for her desired audience of alternative and artistic people.
She describes the inspiration for the aesthetic as “dark, moody interiors”.
Haunted Bookshop is opening in what was previously Shambarber on Stokes Croft – photo: Bobbi Carsley
Speaking about the support from Bristol’s witch community, Monika said: “Everyone has been reaching out. It has been pretty insane.”
Monika has been asked to host meetings for local witch covens in the bookshop when it opens, with her own plans for tarot card readings, workshops and author visits in the pipeline.
Mhara Starling, also known as ‘the Welsh Witch’, is among one of the first writers anticipated to visit.
All photos: Bobbi Carsley
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