CULLMAN, Ala. – In June 2026 Shanen Cottingham opened Arboreadum Bookshop & Garden in downtown Cullman. The shop features books and a variety of plants and gardening supplies.
The shop is located in a remodeled house that provides a very unique and calming experience for patrons. They can look through the many plants outside or browse through a selection of fiction, non-fiction and children’s books inside over a cup of coffee.
On Wednesday, Oct. 21, artists, book and plant lovers alike gathered to celebrate the shop’s successes and growth in the community.
Cottingham credited her family for encouragement. She said her children told her, “Mom, go do it! You love books and you love to garden – and that house is perfect!”
Those in attendance expressed that, in a world that is so chronically online, even to the extent of reading on devices, it is amazing to be able to go into a shop and physically pick out and read novels.
Cottingham spoke of local assistance and community she’s witnessed around books and the love for reading. “I just love the support and community around books! It doesn’t matter where you get your books, let’s keep reading!”
She went on to acknowledge the artists who display their artwork at the shop. “True artists, no AI! I’m so happy that we have artists who use their creative minds!”
At Arboreadum, stories are told off the shelves as well. “At the end of the day I just love talking to everybody!” Cottingham exclaimed.
You can find Arboreadum at 104 Fourth Ave. NE, Cullman. It’s open Tuesday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Find it online at Facebook/Arboreadum Bookshop and Garden.
