Anthology for Books is taking its love of stories on the road.
The independent, woman-owned Geneseo bookstore is launching “Once Upon a Trailer,” a new mobile book trailer designed to bring the Anthology experience beyond the walls of its downtown brick-and-mortar store and into festivals, markets, schools, community events, and even private gatherings. The project combines creativity, community collaboration, and a little bit of leap-of-faith energy — something Anthology owner Beth Terpening says likely would not have happened without bookseller Savannah Beazer.
“I’m not sure I would have done something this audacious if not for Savannah,” Terpening said. “She was the one with the vision and confidence to make this happen. She saw a possibility I couldn’t even imagine!”
For Beazer, the idea had been quietly developing for years.
“I have always dreamed of running a small bakery/bookshop, and I’ve always loved festivals, vendor events, and anything ‘pop-up,’” she said. “When I shifted to staying home with my youngest daughter, my husband and I started talking about ways I could bring those dreams to life, and that’s when I began imagining the bookmobile.”
The pair already had a trailer, shelving, and plenty of ambition — but not yet the pathway to make the vision happen.
“What we didn’t have,” said Beazer, “was a way to procure books or the knowledge of where to even begin.”
As life became busy raising their three daughters, Beazer shelved the idea temporarily. But after she joined the Anthology team last fall, conversations about the trailer resurfaced. This year, the timing finally felt right.
“We wanted bigger dreams, bigger opportunities, and new ways to help Anthology grow,” Beazer said. “It felt like a risk worth taking, and now here we are, watching Once Upon a Trailer come to life.”
Terpening credits Beazer and her husband Brendan for helping turn the concept into reality.
“Savannah and Brendan have been so generous,” Terpening said. “Not just with their trailer, but by pouring so much time, effort, and love into this thing. I am in awe of their energy!”
Like many ambitious projects, the road to completion came with a few unexpected challenges — including a flat tire, difficult design decisions, and figuring out how to create the atmosphere of a full bookstore inside a much smaller mobile space.
“The challenge became figuring out how to create a warm, inviting, energetic bookstore atmosphere … inside a trailer,” Beazer said.
Curating the inventory has also proven difficult.
“There are SO many incredible books, and every event will have a different audience and vibe,” Beazer said. “Curating the trailer for each specific event can be overwhelming, but it’s also one of the most fun parts because it lets us create a unique experience everywhere we go.”
The goal, both Terpening and Beazer say, is for visitors to immediately feel the same welcoming energy Anthology has become known for in Geneseo.
“First, I hope there’s a wow factor — a little shock and awe that Geneseo not only has a bookstore, but a bookmobile as well,” Terpening said. “Then I hope that quickly fades to a feeling of welcome. I want people to experience the same cozy, easy, friendly vibe of our bookstore.”
Beazer says the experience is meant to feel immersive and joyful.
“We want people to walk in and immediately feel the magic of Anthology, even in a much smaller space,” she said. “We want them to come in, dance along to Fabre and Beth’s playlists, browse the thoughtfully curated book selections, check out the merch, take photos, and soak in the warm, exciting energy of being surrounded by fellow book lovers.”
The trailer’s future possibilities remain wide open.
Terpening says Anthology is currently exploring festivals, fairs, schools, churches, workplaces, and even private parties as potential destinations.
“Two people have already asked if we’re willing to bring Once Upon a Trailer to their house for a birthday party,” Terpening said. “Why not?!”
For now, Anthology is balancing excitement with practicality as it builds out its summer schedule.
“I’m serious about my team’s mental and physical health, so we’ve got to moderate our go-go-go enthusiasm with a realistic view of what our calendars and brains and bodies can take,” Terpening said.
Once a schedule is finalized, Anthology plans to share appearances through its website, social media channels, and community partners.
Organizations or businesses interested in collaborating with Once Upon a Trailer can contact Savannah Beazer at savannah@anthology4books.com. Anthology says it remains open to creative partnerships and new ideas as the project evolves.
“Anthology is all about collaboration,” Terpening said. “I bet someone will step forward with a possibility we’ve never even imagined. After all, that’s how this whole thing got started.”
