Liberation Station to Reopen Bigger and Better
Liberation Station, Raleigh’s first Black-owned children’s bookstore, will reopen on Juneteenth 2026. The new space will be at Montague Plaza in southeast Raleigh. The 15,000-square-foot facility will be dedicated entirely to Black-owned businesses. It will be three times larger than the bookstore’s original location.
Owners Victoria Scott-Miller and her husband plan to make the store more than a bookshop. It will host children’s story sessions and author-led workshops. “We’re excited to bring authors and illustrators back to the city of Raleigh, especially southeast Raleigh,” Scott-Miller told WRAL News.
From Pop-Ups to a Downtown Landmark
The Millers started Liberation Station to fill a gap in children’s literature. They saw few books featuring kids of color in local stores. At first, they sold books from their car trunk and at pop-up events. By June 2023, they opened their first brick-and-mortar store downtown.
Victoria described the space as a place of joy and pride. “Bookshelves are a form of protest and liberation and joy,” she said. “Every shelf is dedicated to the experience of Black childhood.”
A Forced Closure Amid Threats
Just months after opening, the store became a target. From September 2023, the family faced escalating death threats and hate mail. Their young son was even targeted in the harassment. The pressure forced constant changes in store hours and security measures.
“We had to close not because we failed, we had to close because our nervous systems have been broken,” Scott-Miller told WRAL. The stress made it impossible to serve the community effectively. To make matters worse, the couple learned their lease was being marketed to new tenants. By April 2024, they shut down and donated their remaining books.
Rest, Reflection, and a New Vision
The closure did not end their mission. The Millers used the break to rest, reflect, and plan for a safer future. Scott-Miller thanked the community for giving them the space to heal. “They allowed us to pause and reimagine what it could look like, not only the bookstore, but our personal safety.”
The new location will allow Liberation Station to expand its cultural impact. It will stand as part of a hub for Black-owned businesses in Raleigh.
Community Support and Fundraising
The reopening plan has drawn strong community backing. A GoFundMe campaign has raised $29,030 toward its $60,000 goal. The store also invites supporters to join its Ko-Fi membership program for ongoing contributions.
Scott-Miller believes the new store will be a celebration of culture, safety, and resilience. “We’re coming back stronger than ever,” she said.
