The Snail on the Wall: A Bookstore for Everyone

By Abigail Harrison, DHI Communications Coordinator

Since its inception in 2017, The Snail on the Wall has been a unique and innovative presence in Huntsville’s literary scene.

“The Snail on the Wall started as a bookstore without a store. We did pop-up events, we did author events, we delivered books to doorsteps every day. And we enjoyed being a non-traditional bookstore for a while,” co-owner Lady Smith explained.

This unconventional approach allowed the Snail to establish a connection with the community, offering flexibility and adaptability: “It gave us the flexibility to do a lot of different things in the community. Instead of just being stuck in one place, we were in a lot of places,” Smith said. The model also proved invaluable during the COVID-19 pandemic. “We already knew how to get books to people when there wasn’t a storefront.”

Taking the Leap to a Permanent Space
As demand grew, the team recognized the need for a physical location.

“We realized that in order to keep growing, we needed a permanent space where people could come and visit on a regular basis,” Smith said.

The realization came about a year ago when the community’s enthusiasm for a local independent bookstore became evident. “The community was ready for it—they were asking for a bookstore, they’d been missing an independent bookstore in the city,” Smith explained. To prepare for this new chapter, Smith brought on co-owner Christina Tabereaux in 2023.

According to Smith, the decision to settle in Downtown Huntsville was an intentional one: “Stores not only need to be centrally located for the locals, but they’re also tourist destinations, so we wanted people to be able to come visit when they were visiting the city,” Smith explained.

The store celebrated its grand opening in September, and the event exceeded expectations.

“We’ve had hundreds of people come over our two-day grand opening. It’s just been really encouraging,” she shared.

A Renovation with Character
Transforming the space from storage into a vibrant bookstore was no small task.

“This space was being used as storage, so it had not been used as a place where the public came in since it was the artery some years ago,” Smith said.

The team prioritized creating a welcoming and unique environment: “We spent a lot of time just coming up with our vision for what would make it welcoming, what would make it interesting,” Smith said. Thoughtful touches include locally crafted signs by Drop Metal and a colorful children’s section featuring a tree centerpiece.

“Some days, there’ll just be four or five kids lying down, thumbing through books. We love that,” she said.

A Bookstore for Everyone
The Snail prides itself on being inclusive and catering to a wide range of readers.

“We’re a bookstore for everyone,” Smith said. “We’ve got all genres from fantasy and romance to serious nonfiction to kids’ books.”

While the curated collection is intentionally small, the store’s team works hard to meet customer needs: “Every day we’re ordering books that we don’t have on our shelves. We can get anything for anyone,” she explained.

The Snail also continues its delivery service, particularly during the holidays. The store offers craft items, puzzles, and activities like embroidery and crochet, carrying holiday gifts for all ages.

A Vibrant Community Hub
The new location allows for larger and more frequent events, including author meet-and-greets and book signings.

“The great thing about this space is that it’s big enough to host in-store events for like 50 people,” Smith said.

Looking ahead, the Snail is participating in a holiday night on Wellman Avenue on December 5, alongside neighboring businesses.

As Smith reflects on the Snail’s journey within the community, her gratitude is evident: “People have been really supportive. They understand that it is important to the community to have a bookstore. A local one is very important.”