In honor of last Friday’s Independence Day celebrations, I thought it only right that I give a salute to an independent bookstore, as independence is what we’re all about!

When I saw an announcement of the opening of The Mainstreet Trading Company in last week’s Children’s Bookshelf, I read it aloud to Lorna and Lisa, who were within earshot, and a fight then erupted over which of us should be allowed the opportunity to move to Scotland and work for this lovely-sounding store. Our interest was further piqued by a peek at the store’s wonderfully appealing logo, which screams "sweet, smart and sophisticated" — three qualities I admire in a kid-friendly independent bookstore.

Co-owner Rosamund de la Hay was most recently the children’s marketing director for Bloomsbury Books, where she oversaw the launch and promotion of a series you might have heard of, about a boy wizard named Harry Potter? In other words, she ought to know a thing or two about how to draw readers to good reading.

An article in the Southern Reporter quotes Rosamund saying that she and her husband Bill are feeling "exhilarated, exhausted, excited and plain terrified.” To them I send my sincerest best wishes (as I do to anyone else opening bookstores out there) and award them a gold star for a cracking good logo, for a nice solid-sounding store name, and for bravery.

Anyone interested in following their lead? If so you might want to look at the ad for ReadingLasses Bookshop-Café (and attached living quarters!) in Wigtown, Scotland, which is currently for sale. (Thanks to Susan Fox of Red Fox Books in Glens Falls, N.Y. for the link!)