Our Story
Bringing stories to life—and inspiring a lifelong love of reading.
Founded in 2016 by Melissa Music and brought to life through the imaginative design of Stephanie Cannon, The Story Shop is an award-winning independent children's bookstore in historic downtown Monroe, Georgia.
Every corner of The Story Shop is intentionally designed to awaken curiosity, spark imagination, and inspire a lifelong love of reading. From stepping through a magical wardrobe to discovering a new favorite book, celebrating a birthday surrounded by stories, or simply wandering through imaginative spaces, each experience invites visitors to see stories in a whole new way.
What began as one woman's dream to create a place where children and families could fall in love with stories has become a beloved destination. Whether you're discovering The Story Shop for the first time or returning to a favorite place, we hope every visit reminds you that imagination is worth celebrating, stories are meant to be shared, and there's always something new to discover—for the child in all of us.
Featured in Country Living
In 2018, Country Living magazine recognized Melissa Music and Stephanie Cannon among its 100 Most Creative People for imagining and creating The Story Shop—a place where stories come to life and inspire a lifelong love of reading
the team behind the magic
Behind every warm welcome, every carefully chosen book, and every memorable celebration are two women who help create the wonder families experience at The Story Shop.
Lisa Dibble
Creative Director
In her free time Lisa is a homeschooling mother of 4 who spends her time reading, hiking, drinking tea, and doing copious amounts of laundry (sometimes simultaneously).
Lauren Brown
Operations Director
In her free time Lauren drinks copious amounts of caffeine while educating her 3 children, laughing at their shenanigans, & chasing after butterflies & lizards.
While Lisa and Lauren help lead the day-to-day magic, they're supported by an incredible team of booksellers and celebration facilitators who welcome every family through our doors. Together, they're the reason every visit feels personal, memorable, and full of wonder.
We’d love to hear from you
Have a question about The Story Shop? Send us a note and our team will be in touch.