Island Profile:
Don Shaw - Book Seller
Story and photos by Dickie Anderson

Don Shaw will tell you he always knew he would own a bookstore. His friends and family were doubtful. Now the proud owner of a successful independent bookstore, Books Plus, Shaw will tell you he has never been happier. Both visitors and locals mingle in Shaw's busy shop found in downtown Fernandina Beach at the western end of the town's popular Centre Street shopping area. The picturesque harbor is just steps away. Nearby, there are convenient stops for coffee, ice cream or something a little stronger.
Don Shaw and his wife Margo, originally from the Boston area, found Amelia Island while vacationing. They considered Naples and a location further south but liked the cooler climate and the sense of community that Amelia Island offered. Shortly after moving to Amelia Island, Shaw bought Books n' Things, a locally owned bookstore, on a then very quiet Centre Street. After a hectic life living "up north", the Shaws made a dramatic lifestyle change. Leaving a successful self-service washer and dryer business, Shaw followed his heart and his dream of owning a bookstore. These brave New Englanders made that wonderful leap of faith that so many only dream of and opened Books Plus on June 1, 1996. It did not matter that neither knew anything about running a bookstore. A dream came true for a thoughtful man who will quickly tell you what a difference books have made in his life. When they ran out of space in their original location, the Shaws opened a state-of-the art bookstore in the Shaw Building, located just a few blocks from their original location.

Local bookseller Don Shaw
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A lifelong lover of books, Shaw is often found sitting with a crony discussing the latest books in one of several comfortable chairs near the front of his shop. Children tugging at their parents' hands can be seen heading to the back of the store, where a gazebo with comfy cushions beckons. Surrounding the gazebo are walls of children's books. The small-town warmth and friendliness on the brightly lit shop draws the customers in. Locals come looking for the latest good read, and visitors find a complete selection of books that focus on the history and flora and fauna that make Northeast Florida such a fascinating place to live and visit.
The island is not only blessed with many wonderful bookstores but also resident writers and poets of all kinds. Shaw encourages the local creative community, and on any given Saturday you may find an author sitting at a table in front of the store talking about their books and promoting the virtues of Amelia Island and a community with Mayberry-like charm. It is no surprise that Shaw is a sponsor of the annual Book Island Festival held on Amelia Island the first weekend in October each year. The Festival features famous authors and offers programs and seminars for participants and attracts visitors from all over the United States and the world.
Ever ready with a friendly greeting, Shaw's freckled and friendly face will greet you when you enter the store, and he will quickly ask what you are reading and hand you something he thinks you might be interested in. Before you know it, you'll walk out with a book or two under your arm.
Proud to be an independent bookseller and not part of a chain, Shaw has created a shop with lots of personality and warmth.
Shaw is also an entrepreneur at heart. He actively promotes local publishing projects through Lexington Ventures. He has published regional literary works that cover the history of the island, county and region. Nassau County's only history books, "Yesterday's Reflections," and "The Historic Splendor of Amelia Island" were developed with author Deon Jaccard. The third collaboration has resulted in "Tidewater Amelia", a coffee-table book with eye-candy pictures of historic homes in Coastal Northeast Florida.

Don poses with a copy of Tidewater Amelia,
a new local book published by his company, Lexington Ventures.
Other local projects include Yesterday's Reflections II,
and The Historic Splendor of Amelia Island.
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Shaw is the distributor of two books by regional writer Ron Kurtz and photographer Roger Moore. The first: "Amelia Island and Fernandina Beach" is a popular book for visitors, with lots of useful information and beautiful color photographs of the island. The newest Kurtz/Moore book is one for children, "Arfie On Amelia" - the island adventures of a lovable dog who actually lives on Amelia Island.
The Shaws have two sons and two granddaughters. Don Shaw enjoys each and every day at his bookstore surrounded by his beloved books. He recently shared one of his favorite quotes:
"….Why are we reading if not in hope that the writer will magnify and dramatize our days, will illuminate and inspire us with wisdom, courage, and the possibility of meaningfulness…."

-Annie Dillard,
The Writing Life

Come in and sit awhile at Books Plus,
107 Centre Street in historic downtown Fernandina.
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Books Plus is located at 107 Centre Street. 261-0303.