When her family moved to Bluffton three years ago, Allyn Oliver knew Old Town was missing something special. “Bluffton is such a fantastic small town with so much personality, but it needed a bookstore,” she said. “It needed a cute space, a space with books, but also a space for people to come together, for readers to meet each other.”
Over the past year and half, Allyn and her husband, Jamie, worked to purchase, renovate, decorate, stock, and open The Bluffton Bookshop. “I’ve always loved a bookstore,” she said. “Whether we are traveling to a small town or going to another country, I’m always looking at their bookstores. I think they are just special places in the community.”
As a lifelong reader, Oliver has a passion for books and the literature community. “I have a library at home,” she said. “I’ve always been a collector. I like to keep my books.”
Allyn and Jamie Oliver recently opened the Bluffton Bookshop on Bridge Street in Old Town.
Since she’s read so many books, Oliver can easily make recommendations to shoppers at The Bluffton Bookshop. “I’ll read a little bit of anything and everything,” she said. “I read to escape and I read according to my mood. I like to be a bit darker in the fall and winter than I am in the summer, when I am more of a beach reader.”
The store’s shelves are stocked with common categories of fiction, cooking, mysteries, and children’s books, but the shop offers a tailored approach to supporting local authors and artists. At the front of the shop, a book section is devoted to South Carolina authors including Pat Conroy, Kardea Brown, and T.I Lowe. The works of local artists cover the space with collages, paintings, and murals. Local gifts and artwork are also available for purchase.
A shelf labeled “Salty Pages” is stocked with publisher overstock books that are significantly discounted in price. “They’re perfect for the beach or boat,” Oliver said. “If you get them wet or drop them in the sand, or take them on vacation and leave them behind, it’s no problem.”
Not sure what book to pick? The shop offers customers an option called “Blind Date with a Book.” These books are wrapped and labeled with a few plot descriptions. It’s a fun way to gift books as well. Many readers have been introduced to unfamiliar authors through this offering. In addition, the staff is very knowledgeable and able to help provide personalized recommendations.
Oliver’s dream is for The Bluffton Bookshop to be a community gathering space. “I really hope to have a lot of events here and connect with people and have people connect with each other,” she said. Children’s story time, author meet and greets, small business pop-ups, and book signings are some of the events planned for the new business.
A cozy little nook for reading and discovering new authors.
Unlike libraries, which are often quiet, Oliver welcomes noise and activity in the bookshop. “I want a hubbub going on in here at any given time,” she said. The store attracts shoppers of all ages, interests, and hobbies.
On Mondays and Tuesdays, Mahjong players are welcome to sign up for two-hour time slots to enjoy playing in the back room of the bookshop. They can bring their friends or meet new friends and share some fun together in the space. Tiles are provided, but players are welcome to bring their own if they’d prefer. Players can sign up for a free time slot on the The Bluffton Bookshop website.
The shop offers a personal connection that can’t be duplicated with shopping online. “The bookstore is an experience,” Oliver said. “We’ve got the events, the books out, and it’s all an experience.” Visitors can grab a cup of Origin coffee or Hale tea (both of which come from Savannah) to help elevate the in-person experience that one can’t get with shopping online.
Pre-packaged ice cream treats are also available at the new business, through a pass-through window, labeled as the Frozen Fiddler, on one side of the building. “We’re working with Leopold’s Ice Cream, which people are really excited to see,” Oliver said. “We have Nightingale’s ice cream sandwiches, which are huge, and we are doing snow cones.”
“We have bagged ice too,” she said. Since the business is so close to the Bluffton Oyster Factory boat landing, it’s an accessible stop for boaters. Ice is available for purchase 24/7 on the back corner of the building, next to the Frozen Fiddler.
An ice cream window at the bookstore offers sweet treats to patrons.
Creating the Bookshop
Even the bookshop’s location has a storied history. Early in 2025, the Olivers located the vacant, off-market home and worked with the Town of Bluffton to rezone the property from residential to commercial.
Built in 1946 by H.E. McCracken Sr., the structure went through a significant renovation. “It was an old house, which was perfect, because you need a place with character to turn into a bookstore,” Oliver said.
However, that character also came with some structural challenges. The home’s original construction was supported only by six inches of oyster shells during its first 80 years of life. One of the first major projects was to add concrete footings. Connecting to the town’s sewer system was also a big project. Creating an off-street parking area was also important to the owners. In total, the renovations took about nine months.
While repairing termite damage, the project’s builder, Jen Sommerville with DH Abney, located a foundation block signed by McCracken in 1946. She suggested that the design team do something creative to highlight the historical signature while keeping the foundation in place. “Absolutely, the more character, the better,” said Oliver.
Now, when shoppers visit the store, they can open up a hidden space to check out the signed foundation block. Similar to a diorama, the space is neatly tucked into a wall in the hallway. Visitors of all ages enjoy access to the uniquely placed historical piece. “This has been the biggest hit so far, with some families coming in just to look for the hidden space,” Oliver said.
Next, came the more creative part: design installation. Led by Nancy Parrish Interiors, the shop features soothing colors, accessories that nod to the Lowcountry, welcoming furnishings, and fun wallpaper selections. “I didn’t want a square box,” Oliver said. “I wanted a cool spot.”
Local muralist and neighbor, Amiri Farris, recently completed a Lowcountry-inspired mural on the building’s exterior. It features two children reading on the banks of the May River, surrounded by a vibrant sunset. “Bluffton is known as the heart of the Lowcountry,” Farris said. “You will see a lot of those elements.”
Located next to the Frozen Fiddler window, the mural is a welcomed addition to The Bluffton Bookshop’s exterior. “It pops off the side of the building and it looks great,” Oliver said. “I think it is just a beautiful addition to this corner of town.”
Some local authors have already stopped by to offer their support to the new business. “Ellen Malphrus stopped in on our very first day and signed a bunch of books for us,” Oliver said. Patti Callahan Henry came by during construction, and then stopped by again post construction with Mary Kay Andrews. “She could not believe the renovations,” she said.
The Bluffton Bookshop and Frozen Fiddler are located at 89 Bridge Street, next to the Bluffton Oyster Company. Business hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For event information and to learn more, visit theblufftonbookshop.com and sign up for the newsletter.