The Lynx Bookstore will unveil a new book vending machine at Gainesville Regional Airport on Thursday, June 26.
The event will take place at 4 p.m. during the meeting of the Gainesville-Alachua County Regional Airport Authority Board at 3880 NE 39th Ave. Notable guests will include Gainesville Mayor Harvey Ward and Hunter Turner, owner of the High Springs-based design company Old Florida Vibes and the artist who designed the art on the machine.
The Lynx Bookstore, founded by three-time National Book Award finalist Lauren Groff and her husband, Clay Kallman, continues to build on its mission to celebrate the state’s literary tradition and make books accessible to everyone.
“This is more than just a vending machine; it is a celebration of the rich cultural heritage of Florida. We want to counter the ‘Florida Man’ narrative that gives people an easy, superficial image of the state, and to show visitors to Gainesville that Florida’s literary legacy is powerful and deep,” said Groff in a press release.
The vending machine will feature Florida writers like Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, Ernest Hemingway, Karen Russell, and Judy Blume, showcasing the state’s rich literary history for the 500,000 visitors who pass through the airport each year.
The vending machine is custom wrapped will feature artwork by Turner of a large lynx that will welcome customers to Gainesville.
“I’m honored to welcome visitors and locals to Gainesville with artwork inspired by the incredible work the folks at The Lynx are doing to preserve and protect the written word for all,” said Turner in the press release.