Independent Bookshop and Cafe celebrates 5 years of selling books and scones

It’s been an eventful 5 years since the Stripey Badger opened its sisterly doors in Grassington.

Sisters Jackie and Linda, together with son James, embarked on their adventure in 2018, coping with COVID, flooding and staff shortages, gaining experience in author events and knowing which cakes customers love, to putting on regular bookclub and poetry evenings.

“It’s a rounded business now, we hope,” said owner Linda.  We have our wonderful regular customer base boosted by the visitors to the village who have in turn been boosted by the filming of All Creatures Great and Small.  The bookshop features as G F Endleby in the popular Channel 5 Series whilst the cafe is turned into a private house, where actors congregate in between takes.

The cafe’s home baking has become a feature “I’ve lost count of the marriage proposals I’ve received because of my scones” said Jackie.  Jackie’s scones are a major draw to the always sold-out Cream Tea and Meet the Author events which are held monthly.  Featuring mainly debut or local authors, these events are a wonderful way to get to know an author and how they research and write their books.  

The next Cream Tea and Meet the Author event on 19th September features local popular resident David Joy, who has written many books on our history and heritage and will be talking about his new book ‘Mostly Joy’ a story of a Dales family.

What’s next for the Stripey Badger?  After a year of ‘star’ author events, including historian and TV presenter Dan Jones, the Dales’ own Julia Chapman, Ann Cleeves and Kate Mosse we’re looking forward to compiling the 2024 author programme.  We’re also looking forward to working with our wonderful staff for yet another year.  Our staff have been totally amazing in coping with COVID rules and regulations and keeping customers happy throughout it all - they deserve medals!