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Propane You Can Count On
From 20 to 100 lbs
At My Propane Butler, we are redefining the standard of service for propane cylinder exchange in North Carolina.
Serving Raleigh, Cary, Smithfield & the Greater Triangle
If you use propane (LP gas) to power any machine or equipment and are currently filling or exchanging them yourself, save the hassle and call us - we'll deliver to you filled and ready to go!
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Activate Selma Meets:
Wednesdays at 9:00 am
October 21 - Raiford Street Park
October 28 - OPEN
November 4 - OPEN
November 11 - OPEN
If you would like to host a meeting at your business, please email our Meeting Location Specialist, Cindy Brookshire
Activate Selma After Hours:
Month of October at:
Oak & Barrell 100 W. Anderson Street, Selma.
Look for the fireman mural and the door with the "A" on it.
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Activate Selma After Hours meets: Wednesdays 5pm until 6pm
Join in the conversation.
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Letts Read Books and More
Welcomed the Activate Selma group this past Wednesday.
Monthly, Weekly and Daily rates available. Mobile Notary Services as well. Bilingual and open to the public.
Click Here For Information
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Passion for Pages: Lett’s Read Books & More Brings Used Literary Charm to Downtown Selma
In a world increasingly dominated by digital screens, local entrepreneurs Renee and Shawn Lett are on a mission to keep physical books in people's hands. Located inside the Marketplace at Hahvahd Yahd Café at 202 N. Raiford Street, Lett’s Read Books & More offers a cozy haven for readers, puzzle enthusiasts, and treasure hunters alike.
Named with a clever play on the couple’s surname, the used bookstore first opened its doors in March 2025 in a modest hallway alcove. Thanks to overwhelming community support and the rapid revitalization of downtown Selma, the shop has since tripled its footprint and continues to expand.
"We are so passionate about reading and keeping books in people's hands, especially children. We used to struggle having to drive all the way to Clayton or Raleigh just to find a good selection of used books—so we decided to bring that experience right here to Selma." — Renee Lett, Co-Owner
A Thriving Collection for Every Reader
Lett's Read Books & More specializes in high-quality used and vintage books, new and gently used puzzles, and unique literary finds. Their commitment to accessibility and local needs shines through their inventory strategy:
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Bilingual & Children's Options: Through frequent thrifting and sourcing trips, Renee continually refreshes their collection with hard-to-find items, including a newly added section of Spanish-language children's books.
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Community-Minded Curation: Rather than competing with neighboring independent bookshops, Lett's Read focuses exclusively on used titles, while featuring select new works by local authors to highlight regional talent.
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Little Free Library Care: The owners regularly pull fresh inventory and overstocked titles from their shelves to restock and maintain Selma’s 6 local Little Free Libraries. Selma's Little Free Libraries are located at:
>Vick Park
>Raiford Street Park
>Partnership for Children
>Selma Elementary School
>#6 Robin Circle
>Harvesting Hope at Selma Baptist Church
You can find a Little Free Library anywhere in the U.S.A. by clicking on the official Little Free Library Locator HERE
Trade-Ins, Donations & Pickups Made Easy
Have shelves full of books or completed puzzles looking for a new home? Lett’s Read accepts trade-ins for store credit, which can be applied toward any item in the shop—from vintage novels and tote bags to brand-new jigsaw puzzles.
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Every Book Matters: The store accepts all genres and conditions for review.
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Pickups for Large Donations: Have a large collection to clear out? Send an email or social media message to schedule a home pickup.
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Hassle-Free Trade-Ins Any Time: While Renee balances her bookstore duties with managing Campbell University's medical student program at Johnston Health, the friendly staff at Hahvahd Yahd Café (led by Christina and team) are fully trained to process book donations and trade-ins whenever the cafe is open.
The Ultimate "Shop & Sip" Experience
Whether you drop by for a cup of coffee, hunt for a vintage classic, or discover the shop while walking through to the back of the building, Lett’s Read offers a warm, welcoming community space. Visitors are invited to grab a drink from the café, pick out a book, and relax right inside the shop.
Looking ahead, Renee and Shawn hope to double their space in the coming year, with a long-term goal of eventually opening a standalone bookstore in downtown Selma complete with comfortable seating for hours of cozy reading.
Visit & Connect
Stop by to pick up your next great read, trade in your old favorites, or simply say hello—and help keep the love of reading alive right here in Selma!
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A Hometown Return: Caroline Woodard Cook Believes in Selma’s Future
Selma native Caroline Woodard Cook, owner of The Show Dance Competition, is bringing her business roots back home. Having grown up visiting family along Green Street and later returning to the area, Caroline has long seen Selma as a special, fairy-tale town with unmatched potential.
"I watched Fuquay-Varina explode and revitalize over the years, and as young adults look for affordable, creative places to live outside Wake County, Selma has a real opportunity. We can create our own niche and become the artistic, cultural hub of Johnston County—like a local Carrboro." — Caroline Woodard Cook, Owner of The Show Dance Competition
Lifting Up Selma Through Arts & Growth
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A Cultural Destination: Caroline envisions Selma celebrating its rich diversity and historical charm by putting a deeper focus on local arts, studio workshops, and community-driven revitalization projects.
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Economic Opportunity: With growing interest from young professionals, artists, and students seeking alternatives to high-cost surrounding counties, downtown Selma is uniquely positioned to thrive.
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Rooted in Community: After 18 years in business operating across North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia, bringing her operations to Selma is both a dream fulfilled and a commitment to helping her hometown blossom.
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Contact: Caroline Woodard Cook -- showdance@gmail.com
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Kim Norris (above), Owner of The Finding Place.
With nearly two decades of experience in retail, thrift, and vintage curation, Kim is bringing her exciting new concept, The Finding Place, to Selma. Currently exploring space options in the heart of downtown, Kim plans to offer a curated selection of unique vintage goods and hopes to host local outdoor vendor markets in the future, so stay tuned!
Contact:
Email: Kim Norris
919-492-1590
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From L-R:
Renee Lett - Owner, Letts Read Books and More
Caroline Woodard Cook - Owner, The Show Dance Competition
Kim Norris - The Finding Place (opening soon)
Downtown Selma takes the crown for local retail! 🛍️✨
Take a stroll down Raiford, Anderson, Waddell, and Railroad Streets and challenge yourself: can you fill an entire suitcase with unique & vintage finds, boutique treasures, and local goods for under $50?
We’re willing to bet you can! Come explore downtown Selma and hunt for your next favorite bargain today! 🧳🏷️
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From L-R:
Caroline Woodard Cook - Owner, The Show Dance Competition
Lynn Stanley - Boys & Girls Club of Johnston County
Jeff Hamilton - Zena's Gift Shop
Downtown Selma stands out as a vibrant destination for local retail. A walk along Raiford, Anderson, Waddell, and Railroad Streets reveals an impressive variety of independent boutiques, vintage shops, and specialty vendors, offering exceptional value and unique regional finds. Residents and visitors alike will find downtown Selma’s commercial district both welcoming and remarkably affordable.
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Downtown Activation & Business Updates
Business Openings and Happenings:
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Zena’s Gift Shop: A new candy store and gift shop located in the Sellers Building, just two doors down from Coffee on Raiford. Run by Zena Hamilton, the shop focuses exclusively on in-person retail to drive foot traffic into downtown Selma.
The business will hold a soft opening on Sunday, October 25th (1:00 PM – 6:00 PM), followed by an official Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening on Friday, November 13th. In addition to the retail space, the building features an available $16 \times 20$ open meeting/conference space equipped with a table and 20 chairs for local groups to rent.
Boys & Girls Club of Johnston County: Announcements & Community Opportunities
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Trunk-or-Treat (Oct 22): The Selma Boys & Girls Club is hosting a Trunk-or-Treat from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM in conjunction with Lights On Afterschool. Community members are invited to sign up for a trunk spot or drop off candy donations at the club.
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Angel Tree Sponsorship: An Angel Tree will be set up inside Hahvahd Yahd Café to sponsor local children for the holidays. Community members can pick an angel off the tree or contact Lynn Stanley to receive a child's holiday wish list.
Arts, Culture & Community Writing
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Neuse River Writers Open Mic: The next monthly Open Mic is scheduled for November 14 from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Strickland Art Gallery (115 S. Raiford St.). There will be no December session, with events resuming in January 2027.
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Free Author Event (Oct 23): Author Ed Southern, Executive Director of the North Carolina Writers Network, will host a free talk at the Smithfield Library on his book "The Devil Done Come Back: New Ghost Tales for North Carolina."
Harvesting Hope Produce Gleaning
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Sweet Potato Glean (Friday at 8:30 AM): Harvesting Hope North Carolina is seeking volunteers for a sweet potato glean near McGee's Crossroads/Willow Springs. The organization has recovered nearly 8,000 pounds of excess produce so far this year to support local hunger relief efforts. Contact Tiffany Whichard.
Small Business Training & Local Events
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Free Google Advertising Class (Oct 17): The JCC Small Business Center is hosting a free online Zoom workshop covering Google advertising fundamentals from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM. Click HERE for info and to register.
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Hank E. Panky Farm Grand Opening (Oct 17): Hank E. Panky Farm celebrates the grand opening of its new facility at 2996 Lizzie Mill Rd at 12:00 PM Saturday.
Downtown Holiday Season Kickoff
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Storefront Decorating: Local business owners are encouraged to decorate their storefronts by the Friday before Thanksgiving to give downtown Selma a cozy holiday atmosphere.
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Small Business Saturday: Mark your calendars for Small Business Saturday on November 28 to support local retailers and eateries downtown. Shop Small Shop Local Initiative.
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Disco Santa at Art Out Loud Park (Nov 21): Celebrate the season at Art Out Loud Park from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM featuring Disco Santa, festive music, cocoa, and cookies.
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Holiday Advertising Opportunity: Johnston Now Magazine is offering holiday advertising space for local Selma businesses in their December "Christmas in Selma" edition ($250 for a single spot or $400 for two) reaching over 10,000 local readers.
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Volunteers Are Needed
Please consider volunteering your time to help ACTIVATE SELMA make our community come ALIVE & THRIVE!
The Following Projects Need Volunteers:
If you have a project or Idea you need help with, please fill out the PROJECT FORM for the Activate Selma Board of Directors to review. They will advise if it is a project or idea we can get behind.
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