'Deadtime Stories' a REO Town staple

By Juanita Kelly-Hill
Staff Writer 

Deadtime Stories: True Crime and Other Books is a bookstore located in Lansing’s REO Town at 1132 S. Washington Ave.

Hours of operation are from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and noon to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Friday. 

Jenn Carpenter is the owner of Deadtime Stories, as well as The Screamatorium, which is the gift shop attached to the bookstore.

“We have been in business at our current location for two years,” Carpenter said. “Before going brick and mortar we were just a pop-up shop, selling books around the Lansing area on the weekends.” 

Carpenter said the inspiration behind her business is her love of true crime and the passion she has for books. 

“Everything I do is within the true crime and paranormal area … I’ve always wanted to open my own bookstore,” Carpenter said. “During the pandemic is when we started the pop-up shop, which went really well, and it became clear that it was time to get my own space.” 

The bookstore is for anyone who is interested in dark history, true crime, and paranormal and horror, according to Carpenter. The store’s slogan is, “We sell books about monsters, both real and imagined.”

Deadtime Stories always finds a way to give back to the Greater Lansing community by partnering with Saved By Zade, a cat rescue organization, to host adoption events and other events with the REO Town Community.

The business will participate in an event in REO Town on Saturday, March 18, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. that celebrates Rosie the Riveter by highlighting women-owned businesses on the block. 

“There will be giveaways, specials, and a lot of the owners will be dressed as Rosie the Riveter,” Carpenter said. “She is a symbol of women who were working in the factories during the war and originally from Michigan.”

Carpenter said her business holds value in the community by being a place where customers can have fun and enjoy the paranormal vibes offered at the bookstore. 

“Oddly enough, given the dark nature of our store, our customers say it’s amusing,” Carpenter said. “We like to be a space where people can come and embrace the darkness as well as our trinkets, books and the unique gifts in our gift shop.”

For anyone who loves horror, history, true crime or spooky Halloween vibes year round, visit Deadtime Stories: True Crimes and Other Books and The Screamatorium in REO Town, just a mile or so south of Lansing Community College’s main campus.