The Decatur Book Festival has barred Kiss and Tale Romance Bookshop from future events after attendees alleged racist treatment at the shop’s booth.
The shop sold books at the 21st annual festival, held Oct. 2–3 in downtown Decatur. A patron wrote on Threads on Oct. 3 that a person staffing the booth had ignored her and other Black patrons. Others responded with similar allegations.
Festival executive director Bailee Yarbrough announced the ban in a written statement on Oct. 5. The bookshop, which has a store on West Ponce de Leon Avenue, denied on Oct. 6 that its staff or owners had deliberately ignored or singled out customers. Its spokesperson said the shop nevertheless acknowledged the patrons’ experiences and feelings.
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