Murphy – A newly retired couple has purchased the Curiosity Shop Bookstore.
Timi and Vince Godin of St. Cloud, Fla., permanently relocated to Murphy on Aug. 19 after closing on a deal to purchase the bookstore about a week prior. The couple frequently traveled to town for about six years, and even purchased a small vacation home here, before deciding to buy a “forever home” in Brasstown Heights.
As part of their relocation plans, the Godins searched for a business to buy in Murphy. They found a listing advertising the bookstore at a purchase price of $65,000.
“We knew we were going to retire here, then we found this [for sale], and it was just heaven-sent,” Timi said. “Every time I came to Murphy, I came into this shop.”
The Curiosity Shop Bookstore is at 46B Valley River Ave., sharing the same building as The Daily Grind & Wine. The store carries books and various gift merchandise created by artisans around the world. Tourists regularly visit the shop to buy maps and guides of the area, as well as historical books written by local authors.
“We would like to keep things as close to normal as possible right now because we know it’s a successful business,” Timi said when asked if the couple plans to change the bookstore. “We’re not looking to make major changes right now. We’re just looking to fill the big shoes of the prior owners.”
Co-owners Kerry Archer and Anne Silver listed the Curiosity Shop Bookstore for sale earlier this year after running the store for four years. Archer and Silver started talking about selling the store last summer in order to spend more time with their families.
Timi is a former elementary school principal, while Vince is a former maintenance mechanic for the City of St. Cloud, where the couple lived for 16 years prior to moving to Cherokee County. They have a dog named Saki, a cat named Kittymeow and two adult children, Jake and Beth, both of whom live in Orlando.
“I love this little town and wanted to become a part of this community,” Timi said when asked why they chose Murphy as a place to retire.
“We love the community, the collaboration of the people here and how friendly they are. We welcome everyone to come in and say, ‘Hello.’ We’d love to meet them.”