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WHERE READERS GROW AND COMMUNITY BLOSSOMS!

About

OUR STORY

The Story Garden is a locally owned independent children’s bookstore. Owner, Megan Kotsko, is a former teacher, turned stay-at-home mom, and most currently bookstore owner. Her passion for children’s literature has taken on its physical form in the transformation of an old run-down shop, into a children’s bookstore. After watching You’ve Got Mail years ago, Megan fell in love with the dream of one day running a children’s bookstore like The Shop Around the Corner - one that puts children’s interests and their innate gravitation towards immersing themselves into the world of story first; a store that was established for and fueled by the love of books for the youngest of readers. Who knew, years later, an old storefront just down the street from her home, would become the place in which that dream could become a reality? When the right time and opportunity presented itself, and with her husband Jason’s full support and constant encouragement, The Story Garden was born.

We are now open! 

03-09-25 TSG  pics by ©sandrasonik-0020.jpg
MISSION & VISSION

OUR MISSION

The mission of The Story Garden is to provide the community of St. Petersburg with a dedicated place to discover a specially curated selection of children’s books and to promote children’s love for reading with an understanding of how reading can change their lives. We want all children who enter our shop to find books to read in which they see a reflection of themselves, their interests, and their passions. 

OUR VISION

Our vision is to be known in St. Petersburg as the local experts on children’s books. We want to be the place parents choose to take their children to experience the exciting and magical feeling browsing for and buying books together creates. We aspire to be the place children beg their parents to go to to find their next favorite book and to share stories with other children.

What we offer

BOOKS FOR ALL AGES

Babies, Toddlers, Early Readers, Middle Grades, Young Adults & Parents

QUALITY GAMES, TOYS, CARDS & READING ACCESSORIES

CHILD & CAREGIVER STORY & PLAY CLASSES

BOOK CLUBS FOR KIDS

WEEKLY STORYTIME

EVENTS

  • French Storytime with Pipelettes & Co
    French Storytime with Pipelettes & Co
    Jul 09, 2025, 4:00 PM – 4:30 PM
    St. Petersburg, 832 14th St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33705, USA
    Join us for an immersive French storytime experience!
  • Play Me a Story - OCEAN
    Play Me a Story - OCEAN
    Fri, Jul 11
    The Story Garden
    Jul 11, 2025, 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
    The Story Garden, 832 14th St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33705, USA
    Join us as we immerse the littlest of readers in story & play to foster a love for reading while igniting early literacy skills. Our 1-hr class will feature an immersive read-aloud followed by intentional play experiences tailored to extend the story theme, building connections to the world!
  • Spanish Storytime with Tampa Bay International School
    Spanish Storytime with Tampa Bay International School
    Multiple Dates
    Sat, Jul 12
    Jul 12, 2025, 10:15 AM – 10:40 AM
    St. Petersburg, 832 14th St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33705, USA
    Join us for an immersive, enthusiastic storytime in Spanish as we welcome Bennett Zamoff, the head of the Tampa Bay International School to our store.
  • Saturday Storytime @ 10:15AM
    Saturday Storytime @ 10:15AM
    Multiple Dates
    Sat, Jul 12
    The Story Garden
    Jul 12, 2025, 10:15 AM – 10:45 AM EDT
    The Story Garden, 832 14th St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33705, USA
    Join us for storytime in the bookstore! We'll read stories & sing songs, and engage in a story-related activity afterward. This storytime is geared for ages 5 and under, though all are welcome. We hope you can make it!
  • Inspired Possibilities: Storytime  with Miss Stephanie
    Inspired Possibilities: Storytime  with Miss Stephanie
    Jul 15, 2025, 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
    The Story Garden, 832 14th St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33705, USA
    Join us for a gentle, small group story time created for children with diverse abilities! Stephanie will implement accommodations and modifications to ensure everyone can join in comfortably and meaningfully. Each child will be celebrated!
  • Wednesday Storytime @ 10:15AM
    Wednesday Storytime @ 10:15AM
    Multiple Dates
    Wed, Jul 16
    The Story Garden
    Jul 16, 2025, 10:15 AM – 10:45 AM EDT
    The Story Garden, 832 14th St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33705, USA
    Join us for storytime every Wednesday in the bookstore! Designed for ages 4 and under, though all are welcome. We'll read stories & sing songs together!
  • Music & Storytime with Mr. E
    Music & Storytime with Mr. E
    Thu, Jul 17
    The Story Garden
    Jul 17, 2025, 5:30 PM – 6:00 PM
    The Story Garden, 832 14th St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33705, USA
    Join us for a 25-minute music & story journey with Mr. E. In our gathering of little readers and musicians, we will read, sing, & create music!
  • Play Me a Story - OCEAN
    Play Me a Story - OCEAN
    Fri, Jul 18
    The Story Garden
    Jul 18, 2025, 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
    The Story Garden, 832 14th St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33705, USA
    Join us as we immerse the littlest of readers in story & play to foster a love for reading while igniting early literacy skills. Our 1-hr class will feature an immersive read-aloud followed by intentional play experiences tailored to extend the story theme, building connections to the world!
  • Storytime with United Moms for Autism
    Storytime with United Moms for Autism
    Sun, Jul 20
    Jul 20, 2025, 9:15 AM – 9:45 AM
    The Story Garden, 832 14th St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33705, USA
    Join us for this special storytime for the friends and families of United Moms for Autism.
  • Play Me a Story - OCEAN
    Play Me a Story - OCEAN
    Fri, Jul 25
    The Story Garden
    Jul 25, 2025, 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
    The Story Garden, 832 14th St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33705, USA
    Join us as we immerse the littlest of readers in story & play to foster a love for reading while igniting early literacy skills. Our 1-hr class will feature an immersive read-aloud followed by intentional play experiences tailored to extend the story theme, building connections to the world!
  • Storytime with United Moms for Autism
    Storytime with United Moms for Autism
    Sun, Aug 24
    Aug 24, 2025, 9:15 AM – 9:45 AM
    The Story Garden, 832 14th St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33705, USA
    Join us for this special storytime for the friends and families of United Moms for Autism.

SHOP FOR BOOKS

March right in! We just opened our brick-and-mortar location. You  can also support us by buying your books from our shop on Bookshop.org. Haven’t heard of Bookshop? They’re incredible in supporting independent bookstores like us. Bookshop is connecting readers and independent booksellers worldwide. ‍They are committed to helping local bookstores thrive, giving us a platform to compete online and financial support to keep bookstore doors open! 

Contact

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CONTACT

Store Location:

832 14th St. N.,

St. Petersburg, Fl 33705

Store Hours:

Monday - Closed

Tuesday - 10AM to 2PM

Wednesday - Saturday 10AM to 5:00PM

Sunday - 10AM to 2PM

Phone/Text: 727-755-1987

Email: Megan@stpetestorygarden.com

 

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