By Francesca Turchiano

On most weekends, Norfolk’s Meredith McGregor takes a short drive to Salisbury and opens Joie de Livres, her creation, and a second home for bibliophiles. The serene, salon-like space is dedicated to literature, top-tier photography, and complementary objets d’art. The atmosphere is “relax, touch, converse and, if you like, buy.” It’s a place to take a trip without getting on a plane.

McGregor is a professional photo-journalist, literary specialist, and customer-friendly proprietress. The business is an outgrowth of her extensive travels and her passion for the arts. It is a passion shared by her husband and active business partner, Kevin Flach.

Meredith McGregor and Kevin Flach at Joie de Livres in Salisbury.

If winter is the perfect season to read, give and otherwise enjoy books, Joie de Livres is the perfect place to find a jewel of a gift for a dear one, possibly yourself. The price range of offerings is broad, from under $10 to over $10,000.

On a recent visit, I picked up a packet of corner page markers made by Il Papiro of Florence. The corners are made from gorgeous marbleized papers. Leave it to the Italians to unite form, function and beauty. What a delightful stocking stuffer in the under $10 category.

At the other end of the spectrum,  I was privileged to view a  limited edition (20) folio of photos by Inge Morath, each signed by her and her husband, Arthur Miller, with the introduction written in cursive and signed by Miller.

Through December, many of Joie de Livres’ walls will be graced by the singular photographs of Morath and other renowned artists including Jean Henri Lartigue, Frieda Kahlo and Bert Stern.  These are available for purchase.

The store’s book selection is split between literature and the arts. There is no lack of beautifully bound, early editions and sets by the likes of Guy De Maupassant, Truman Capote, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Dashiell Hammett, the namesake of the couple’s son Dash, and many others. The visual art books skew toward photographers, from the early days of Stieglitz and Steichen to present day masters such as Avedon and Newman. These books can be found intermixed with a non-pedestrian selection of books by or about noteworthy painters. When it comes to literature, there is a skewing toward the works of 20^th century adventuresses such as Edith Wharton, Virginia Wolf, and Amelia Earhart. Many are signed first or limited editions containing fascinating, personal notes, which make them all the more compelling to a collector or recipient. The store is also dotted with new books of literary merit. Is there anyone who would not welcome a signed copy of Ann Patchett’s widely praised new novel, Run?

When you visit Joies de Livres, you may well ask about the few small flower arrangements in the store. I did, and learned they are by Diane Lane, whom Martha Stewart would worship. Other small finds that I delighted in were the collection of Il Papiro journals, decorative mirrors by Carvers, and the surprise of randomly placed antique objets d’art.

If you do make a visit, consider further rewarding yourself with “the world’s best sticky bun” from The Roast (enter through the Salisbury Pharmacy). Or, check across the street at Salisbury Wines, scheduled for a mid-December grand opening. There, you’ll be able to consult with Norfolk oenophile Warren Carter about the perfect wine for the evening’s meal. Kevin Flach, Meredith’s husband, is one of several Norfolkians partnering in that venture. So, when he’s not at his full time job, he’ll either be doing the business of Joie de Livres or taking a wine class across the street.

Joie de Livres, 7 Academy Street, Salisbury 1-860-435-2322. Open Friday, Saturday and Sunday in December. Call for other winter hours. Also opposite Johnnycake Books, specializing in collectible gardening and architecture books.

Photo by Francesca Turchiano.