When Lindsey Jacobs opened the doors to Monkey Wrench Books in September 2024, she wasn’t just launching a bookstore — she was creating a space for connection, conversation, and community care in the heart of Morgantown, West Virginia.

The independent bookstore and coffee shop quickly became a local favorite, offering new and used titles, locally made gifts, regional art, and a strong dose of social consciousness. Monkey Wrench isn’t just a place to find your next great read — it’s a hub for advocacy, creativity, and comfort.

“Books have always been a form of liberation,” said Lindsey Jacobs, owner of Monkey Wrench Books and Advocacy & Access Program Director at Mountain State Justice. “Our goal is to make stories — especially the ones that are challenged or censored — accessible to everyone. Literacy means liberation, and we want our community to feel that power.”

Jacobs’ passion and purpose drew the attention of Partner Community Capital (PCAP) Financial Advisor Jasmine Motilal, who began working with her in early 2023. Over several months, they developed a business plan, financial projections, and worked with a third-party architect to bring Lindsey’s vision to life. PCAP financing closed in January 2024, and within months, Morgantown had a new home for readers and dreamers alike.

“Lindsey was a powerhouse of hopes, dreams, and action,” said Motilal. “As we worked together, she built her own small network of bookstore owners to learn from, and that collaboration gave us incredible, real-world insight into what it takes to run a bookstore. Her heart was entirely in the right place — driven by a love of books and a deep belief in community and liberation.”

Motilal said working with Jacobs left a lasting impression. “Sometimes you meet clients who remind you why this work matters. Lindsey is one of those people. She makes you feel hopeful — like the world is still full of people doing good, important work purely to make life better for others.”

Since opening, Monkey Wrench Books has embodied that spirit of generosity and activism. The shop highlights banned and challenged books, posts resources on fighting censorship, and even opens its doors during severe winter weather to offer free hot chocolate, sandwiches, and a warm place for those in need.

“Community means showing up,” Jacobs said. “If we can use our space to make even one person’s day a little better — whether that’s through a good book or a warm cup of cocoa — then we’re doing what we set out to do.”

As Monkey Wrench celebrates its first anniversary, Jacobs continues to use the store as both a business and a beacon — a reminder that local entrepreneurship and social advocacy can go hand in hand.

Motilal, who counts Jacobs as one of her first clients with PCAP, reflected on the experience with gratitude. “After meeting Lindsey, I began to see just how many incredible, powerful women are taking action to uplift West Virginia. She inspired me to make sure I’m doing my part, too.”

In the end, Monkey Wrench Books isn’t just about reading — it’s about rewriting what’s possible when passion, purpose, and partnership come together.