In Raleigh, North Carolina, Black-owned children’s bookstore Liberation Station, known for celebrating diversity and representation, has declared it will close its doors at the end of April. Opened in June 2023 by Victoria Scott-Miller and her husband, Duane Miller, the store quickly became a popular space where Black children could find books that mirrored their experiences and identities.
“At our core, we believe in making representation accessible and amplifying Black voices. As booksellers and storytellers, we thrive by seeking unconventional spaces to promote literacy, and pioneer creative programming that will ensure Black children are seeing themselves and being seen.”
Liberation Station
The decision to shut down comes after a distressing period marked by a number of death threats against the Miller family. These threats began to surface a few months after the store’s opening in 2019 casting a shadow over the store’s mission of inclusivity and love. On the bookstore’s website, it states: “At our core, we believe in making representation accessible and amplifying Black voices.”
Liberation Station faces ongoing harassment
Victoria Scott-Miller shared a post on the bookstore’s official Instagram account, detailing the family’s ordeal. “Since September, we’ve faced numerous threats following the opening of our store,” she wrote. “Some we brushed off, while others included a disturbing phone call detailing what our son Langston wore when he was at the shop alone.”
In the face of these challenges, the Millers took several measures to protect their family and their business, including changing the store’s operating hours and taking turns overseeing the premises. Despite their efforts, the continued threats and a lack of support from their landlord prompted their decision to close.
“When we explained our concerns about the threats we’d been receiving, instead of offering assistance, we were informed that our unit would be showcased to potential new tenants leading up to our potential departure.”
Liberation Station
“This response unfortunately echoes the encounters we’ve faced since we embarked on this journey,” Victoria added. The Millers have not announced specific plans following their departure from the store’s location at 208 Fayetteville St, but they remain committed to their mission: “There is so much more work to be done.”
Response to the closure
The closure of Liberation Station has drawn widespread condemnation. The Authors Guild issued a statement denouncing the harassment and threats that led to the store’s impending closure. “These actions not only hurt the bookstore and its patrons, but the literary community at large,” the statement read. “They demean literature and the crucial importance of diverse storytelling that represents the voices of all Americans.”
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Police investigations into the threats are ongoing, as the literary and local community rally around the Millers. The store will remain open until April 13, after which its inventory will be donated to literacy nonprofits in the Triangle area. The closure of Liberation Station is a stark reminder of the challenges faced by minority-owned businesses and the importance of supporting spaces that champion diversity and representation.
Continue to support Liberation Station both in person and online.