Video: Book Mart becoming hot spot for Starkville students

STARKVILLE Miss. (WCBI)- There’s a new after school hang out for middle school kids in Starkville. Students from Armstrong Middle School are taking over the Book Mart & Cafe in downtown.

It’s capturing the attention of the Book Mart owner who says at times, 30 plus kids show up to do homework, socialize and just be kids.

Three or more days a week students walk from Armstrong Middle School up to Book Mart and Bully Cafe.

On week days just before 4 p.m. students start barreling down Main Street to Book Mart.

“It’s got a lot of cool places to hang out and there’s upstairs,” said 6th grader Caroline Reed.

The quaint book store and café, at 120 East Main, is the hot spot for Armstrong Middle Schoolers. 8th grader Garrett Carson says it’s been his go to place after school for two years. When he was in the 6th grade, Carson says he’d walk over to the store to get his sweet fix.

“It’s just the best place to hang out,” said Carson.

Wednesday is usually the biggest crowd. Up to 30 students at one time have over taken the little cafe. The kids gather around the table to talk and build their friendships, do homework but of course everyone’s favorite, the sugary, summery treat they get to enjoy.

“Around here, this is basically the only place to get ice cream. So ice cream is a big factor I guess,” said Carson.

It appears Ice cream was on everyone’s mind during our shoot. Book Mart Cafe owner Caroline Abadie, says the kiddos started coming in soon after the start of the school year.

“Just one day, about a week after school, they showed up kind of like a herd of cattle,” said Abadie.

Abadie says she’s glad her little shop is a place these students can feel right at home.

“Everyone needs a place where they feel they belong and I hope this place always makes them feel like that,” said Abadie.

From 4 in the afternoon until closing time at 5:30 p.m., Book Mart usually has quite the after school crowd.

“Oh we love it. You can just tell they’re such good friends and been fostering a friendship all their lives and we know this is just a fun part of their day,” said Abadie.

Some would say it’s the best part of the day.

“I”m ready for the school day to be over,” said Reed.

Book Mart has been a staple in downtown Starkville for generations. Abadie says everyone’s thrilled to see a younger generation stopping by.