Igniting Ideas, Inspiring Readers: Michelle Martin’s Bookstore Dream
When Michelle Martin, an English professor at Shawnee State University, saw a century-old church for sale next to her home in Wheelersburg, Ohio, she didn’t just see a building - she saw a story waiting to be written.
Originally purchased in 2021 with the idea of converting it into an event hall, Michelle quickly realized her true passion lay elsewhere. “We never really followed through with that,” she said. “The plan kind of morphed into a bookstore. And I can get a lot more excited about books than having a ball.”
Thus began the transformation of a 1920 church into Revival Books, a community-centered bookstore with a mission to celebrate literature, local authors, and Appalachian culture. Michelle and her family have already invested over $30,000 into renovations, including removing drop ceilings to reveal original woodwork, painting, and installing a new roof. “It had a very antiquated feel,” she explained. “But we’ve done a lot of work already.”
Ignite Portsmouth: Fueling the Vision
Michelle joined the Ignite Portsmouth program after hearing about it from friends and past participants Rebecca Gray and Staci Slaughter. “Once the idea for the bookstore consolidated, I knew I needed help launching a business,” she said. “Ignite seemed like a great place to turn.”
From day one, Michelle was energized by the program’s cohort model. “Meeting all these people in Scioto County with great ideas for enhancing the community…that was one of the best parts,” she said. “I’ve come away with a number of new friends.”
Through Ignite, Michelle gained practical knowledge in business planning, marketing, and operations. “Being surrounded by people who have that knowledge to share, it was really important,” she said.
Revival Books: A Space for Stories and Community
Set to open in early Summer 2026, Revival Books will offer a curated mix of 75% used books and 25% new titles. Michelle has been sourcing inventory from flea markets and used book stores, and plans to include book-themed merchandise as well as vendor tables for pop-up events.
The 1,500 square foot main room of the church offers ample space for community programming, including poetry readings, author interviews, and book signings. “I want to have local authors come over to the bookstore and do interviews and things like that,” she said.
While the location isn’t on a main strip, Michelle is confident in her marketing strategy. “Social media, an email newsletter, there’s a lot you can do,” she said. “You can get people excited about books, get them talking about what they’re reading, and then just reel them in.”
Advice for Future Igniters
Michelle encourages anyone considering Ignite Portsmouth to take the leap. “Go for it. Absolutely,” she said. “It works for people at almost any stage of launching a business. Even if it’s just conceptual, by the time you come out, it’ll be more finalized.”
She also highlighted the value of pivoting, a lesson many entrepreneurs learn through the program. “Sometimes you find out an idea isn’t going to work, and you’re better off for it,” she said. “Ignite helps you figure that out.”
Follow the Revival
Michelle is currently working on launching social media accounts for Revival Books. “Even though the launch date isn’t until next year, I’ll be posting about the progress we’re making,” she said. “It’s kind of fun to see an old church redeveloped.”
Keep following the Kricker Innovation Hub for updates on Ignite Portsmouth and other inspiring stories from our entrepreneurial community.