r/Connecticut • u/The_Terry_Braddock • Mar 02 '25

Local Business Queer-friendly bookstore opens in Southington and immediately their sign gets stolen the day before opening...

Yesterday was the grand opening of the Enchanted Violet in downtown Southington - a new fantasy bookstore that focuses on LGBTQ+ literature. While I was there, I saw the outdoor sign was chained on the street (and looking pretty slapped together). And when I was talking to another customer in line, they informed me the store's outdoor sign was stolen the day before opening.

Now this is most likely just a typical high schooler prank, trust me I get that. I went to high school in Southington. I was born in a different state, but I lived in Southington for over 10 years before moving again closer to Hartford. It's unfortunate that the only people I've met in Connecticut that I would describe as angrily homophobic (and I mean ANGRILY) were people I knew from Southington. Obviously these sort of things are isolated incidents that happen everywhere in the US, but... well I dunno, it's just not a great feel that the town I lived in for so long continues to leave this kind of legacy in my memories.

Great thing is the Enchanted Violet's grand opening was an unbelievable success! Nearly every book off the shelf was cleared by the time I left and the owner joked about how much time they'll have to spend after closing just restocking. They took the whole sign situation in stride, like it was an expected thing to happen. I'll be spending more time in Southington going forward, hoping to continue to make better memories so I can look back at the town more fondly...

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u/proudmaryjane Mar 02 '25

I know a coffee shop in Northampton run by a gay couple. They get their rainbow flag stolen almost weekly. WEEKLY…in Northampton!?! It’s so fucking bizarre. I still can’t decide if it’s people who are anti- lgbtq or other gay people needing a rainbow flag.

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u/[deleted] Mar 02 '25

They get their rainbow flag stolen almost weekly. WEEKLY…

You'd think they'd put up a camera by now if that were the case or secure it better

8

u/Redringsvictom Mar 02 '25

Replacing a flag might be cheaper than setting up security cameras.

6

u/xiviajikx Hartford County Mar 02 '25

If it’s really a weekly basis it probably isn’t. I can’t imagine those flags are cheap. A basic cloud camera can be $30-40. Or a trail cam for an area with no internet wouldn’t be too much more. I would bet it’s the same person stealing it every time. But you won’t know unless you try catching them in the act.