Building the Valley: Lower Burrell bookstore owner shares love of reading with community

The story of Karen Watkins’ business isn’t ending anytime soon.

In fact, it’s starting a new chapter.

Watkins, 52, of Lower Burrell owns The Last Word bookstore along Leechburg Road in Lower Burrell.

She held a grand reopening of the store Sept. 15.

“I’m here. I’m open. I will be around for a while, God willing, of course,” she said.

Watkins said that growing up, one of the first places she was able to go by herself was a local library in Apollo. She has been in love with books ever since.

“They have the ability to take you places that you may not have the ability to go by any other means,” Watkins said.

Her late father, Paul Radion Jr., operated a book store in New Hampshire but returned to the Alle-Kiski Valley in 2009 with six tractor-trailers filled with books. He intended to open a store at the former Gilpin Elementary School, but those plans never came to fruition.

“He was attempting to build a go-to destination for people who love books, but he passed before it opened,” Watkins said.

In 2014, Watkins took those books and opened The Last Word at 2909 Leechburg Road in Lower Burrell. She “took a huge risk” by opening the store, but it has been rewarding, she said.

“The book market has changed over the past 10 years,” she said.

All genres are represented at the store. Watkins also partners with local authors to coordinate events, such as the Authors, Books and Brunch event Oct. 21 at The Grill at River Forest Country Club.

Kyle Kubicko, events coordinator at the club, said the event will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission is $10, and tickets can be bought at the door, by calling River Forest or by RSVP on the club’s website. Fourteen authors will speak about their work, and attendees can participate in a question-and-answer session with the authors. People also will be able to get their books signed by local authors, he said.

Kubicko said Watkins is “very driven” and enthusiastic about supporting local authors. She has been a driving force behind the authors brunch event, he said.

“Her reopening will be great for the Lower Burrell community,” Kubicko said.

The store has a local, virtual book club. Watkins also hosts live auctions on the platform “Whatnot.” During the winter, she offers craft classes.

“We’re constantly trying to find ways to bring people in so they keep visiting you for years to come,” Watkins said.

The people are what makes it all worth it, she said.

“I get people from all walks of life come through this door. From people who love books, to people looking for textbooks, to people looking for new local authors, I get a little bit of everybody,” she said.

Watkins said she is grateful for the support she has, and she recognized the importance of businesses being active in a community.

“Businesses in a community are only as good as the people that support them,” she said.

With a love for reading, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Watkins is writing her own book series, which she said is “definitely a big undertaking.”

She aims to have the first book out before Christmas.

“It’ll be part journal, part reference book … something they can write in, take with them,” she said.

The Last Word bookstore at 2909 Leechburg Road is open from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. Watkins also opens the store by appointment.