Every First Friday of every month, the Peoria community comes together to promote and support the local businesses that surround them. One of the “new” businesses on the block has come with a message they’d like to spread. That message is visible the moment anyone walks into Jessica Stephenson’s bookstore, lit. on fire used books. “I Am Enough” is the positive message that snatches your attention the moment you walk into the newly placed book store. Jessica said, “A mural by Jackie Music… she has this positive message of, you know it’s ok to be human, it’s ok to… talk about the ways you’ve suffered in life and how it’s empowered you to make your life better and accept the fact that not everybody is perfect.” Jessica loved the idea of having Jackie’s positive message at the forefront of her store. She believes it is powerful and represents what she stands for and will impact her customers in only positive ways. 
Lit. books on fire is the only bookstore around for miles and will undoubtedly be a welcomed edition to the community. The added lounging area in the back to sit while you read is a nice touch. Not bad for a business that started from a room attached to another larger scale business. Now the business has a store front that sits firmly placed on one of the busiest streets in Peoria.
The book store also features jewelry perfect for this time of year from one of Jessica’s close friends, Amanda Sears. Amanda said, “We met playing Pokémon cards with our children and the friendship just evolved from there.” Now, three years later, their friendship has transformed to having a symbiotic business partnership. Amanda’s jewelry gives off perfect spooky vibes perfect for Halloween and, if you ask her, anytime of the year.
The power of positivity is fully being realized in this bookstore. Jessica wishes to bring a new aspect to Main Street. “There’s not been a bookstore in this area for years and years and years and there’s a college right there, kids love book stores.” Few businesses have the capability to affect their community in such a directly constructive way. With this not so new but freshly blooming business, it can fill a much-needed gap in the resources that are available to the citizens in Peoria. Books have the power to uplift people’s minds to incredible heights and the community is sure to thrilled with this new emergence.
Jessica entertaining her customers on a busy First Friday.
Guest performance in front of positive mural