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What happens when a lifelong love of books becomes a business that helps stories, culture, and community find their next chapter?
Welcome to The WEBB Remedy Podcast, a mindset-shifting podcast from WEBB Squared, a nonprofit working to recognize and address the wealth gap by building a supportive ecosystem for rural and underrepresented entrepreneurs in and around Chatham County, North Carolina.
In this episode, host and producer Rinnie Orr sits down with Victor Harris, founder of The Ink Crypt, an independent online bookstore based in Pittsboro, North Carolina.
Victor shares the story behind his lifelong love of reading and the family influences, educational experiences, and early work opportunities that helped shape his relationship with books. He also discusses his time working at UNC Press as a high school student and how that experience introduced him to a space where books, learning, and the written word were deeply valued.
The conversation explores what makes The Ink Crypt unique, from its focus on literary discovery to its commitment to giving books another life. Victor explains how he curates the store’s selection, the kinds of books that come through trade-ins, and the joy of helping readers discover unexpected treasures.
Rinnie and Victor also discuss the broader role of independent bookstores, including their importance as cultural, educational, and community spaces. Together, they consider what it really takes to sustain a bookstore—especially in a digital marketplace—and why loving books is only one part of the work involved in running a successful bookstore.
A Conversation About More Than Books
At the heart of this episode is a conversation about entrepreneurship, memory, culture, and community.
The Ink Crypt is not simply an online store. It is an expression of Victor’s relationship with books and a space where readers can encounter stories, ideas, and possibilities. The episode also highlights the work behind the experience—the planning, curation, customer service, visibility, and community support required to keep an independent bookstore alive.
For more information on Victor and The Ink Crypt: theinkcrypt.com
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Thank you for listening...Our theme this year is "Changemakers in Motion"
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