The Delta Record | Argo Books holds Grand Opening Ceremony and Groundbreaking Ceremony

BUCKHANNON — Jon and Abigail Benjamin were proud to organize a special day for their bookstore, Argo Books, located at 6 North Spring Street. On Friday April 1, they celebrated with a grand opening and inauguration ceremony. The Benjamins also provided free coffee and books to those in attendance at the event which lasted from noon to 4 p.m.

“My husband and I have been married for over 20 years and we have seven children aged 3 to 18. I’m a lawyer and Jon is a professor at Wesleyan. This bookstore is like our passion project and it’s been really nice this family business,” said Abigail Benjamin. “We really see it as a soft place for creativity, as a creative hub. The pandemic has really isolated us so we have plenty of chairs, coffee and it’s just a good place to sit and browse. People are also welcome to bring their food and/or coffee from other local businesses.

A. Benjamin continued, “People rented the space for their own book clubs or their own events.” The Benjamins are passionate about knowledge and received a national grant to offer STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) books complete with works on West Virginia. Some of these books are about Katherine Johnson, a mathematician from White Sulfur Springs, W. Va., who participated in critical missions for NASA.

“There is also a difference between ordering a book from Amazon and getting one from a store. With Amazon, you don’t get to open the book and see if it’s right for you or your child and you also have to allow a few days for shipping,” Benjamin said. “We also have a section for local fiction writers. The best-selling books we’ve seen are Appalachian Ghost Stories.

Argo Books, currently open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., also offers a variety of clubs, which are provided by Abigail Benjamin in the list below:

• Art Club: Learn all types of art! All ages are welcome and this club meets the first Tuesday of every month from 7-8pm

• Animation Club: A place to learn, encourage, collaborate and analyze animation in various forms. All ages are welcome and this club meets the first Thursday of every month from 6-7pm

• Writers Club: Practice your creative writing skills and connect with other writers. Adults are welcome and this group meets twice a month from 6-7pm

• Game Design Club: create and design video and board games and learn how to become your own game developer. All ages are welcome at this club and meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month from 6 to 19h

• Teen Book Club: Connect with other teen readers and review creative books. Argo Books is currently reading Howl’s Moving Castle. This club is for teenagers and meets on the second Tuesday of every month from 6-7pm.

• Video Production Club: learn editing and filmmaking. Start creating your own short films. This club is open to teenagers and adults and meets on the second Thursday of each month from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

• Dungeons and Dragons Adventures Guild Club: Two campaigns are being run, one for new/younger players and one for more experienced players. Register on the website at theargobooks.com. This club is for all ages and meets on the third Sunday of each month from 1-5pm.

• Tabletop Game Night: Play our board games or bring your own. Snacks and drinks are free! It’s open to all ages with hours from 6-7pm

• Anime Club: Watch anime movies and TV shows. Must be 14 or older. This club meets every Wednesday from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

• Meeting of the art and design association W. Va. : Connect W.Va. creatives across the state. For more information, visit wvartdesign.org. This is available to adults via Zoom and takes place the last Thursday of every month from 6-7pm

For more information, visit theargobooks.com for details, updates and information on schedules, products and clubs.