Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift helped rebuild a small bookstore in Pennsylvania after hearing the 82-year-old owner was closing
They bought every single book that week and donated them to local schools. Inside the last box, the owner found one volume with a note in Taylor’s handwriting that made him cry.

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s Heartfelt Mission to Save a Pennsylvania Bookstore

In the small town of Wyomissing, Pennsylvania, a beloved independent bookstore faced its final chapter. After 45 years, 82-year-old owner Harold Bennett announced he could no longer sustain Bennett’s Books, a community staple known for its cozy shelves and personal touch. The news spread quietly, but it reached the ears of pop superstar Taylor Swift and NFL star Travis Kelce, who, moved by the story, stepped in to rewrite the ending. Not only did they help rebuild the store, but they also purchased its entire inventory that week and donated the books to local schools. A final, unexpected gift—a handwritten note from Swift tucked inside a book—left Bennett in tears and the community inspired.

A Bookstore on the Brink

Bennett’s Books had been a fixture in Wyomissing since the 1980s, its wooden shelves lined with everything from classic literature to children’s picture books. For decades, Harold Bennett, a retired teacher with a passion for stories, welcomed readers young and old, offering recommendations and hosting book clubs. But rising costs, competition from online retailers, and Bennett’s advancing age made it impossible to keep the doors open. In early September 2025, he announced the store’s closure, citing a lack of funds to repair the aging building and restock inventory. The news struck a chord in Wyomissing, a town where Swift herself spent part of her childhood before moving to Nashville to pursue her music career.

The bookstore’s plight came to Swift and Kelce’s attention through a local news article shared on social media. Swift, who has deep ties to Pennsylvania and a well-documented love for literature, felt a personal connection to the story. Kelce, her partner since 2023 and a known advocate for community initiatives, was equally moved. Without hesitation, the couple decided to act, driven by a shared commitment to preserving spaces that foster creativity and connection.

A Quiet Intervention

On a crisp September morning, Swift and Kelce arrived at Bennett’s Books unannounced. Bennett, who was sorting through inventory in preparation for the closure, was stunned to see the couple walk through the door. “I thought I was dreaming,” he later told a local reporter. “Taylor Swift, in my little shop? And with Travis Kelce? It was unreal.” The couple spent the day with Bennett, listening to his stories about the store’s history and its role in the community. They learned that the building needed structural repairs, including a leaking roof and outdated wiring, and that Bennett had been struggling to pay for basic upkeep.

Swift and Kelce didn’t just offer sympathy—they took action. They pledged to cover the costs of renovating the bookstore, hiring local contractors to restore the building to its former charm. New shelves, a fresh coat of paint, and updated lighting were installed within weeks, transforming the space into a vibrant hub once again. But their generosity didn’t stop there. In a remarkable gesture, they purchased every single book in the store’s inventory that week—thousands of volumes—and donated them to schools across Berks County, ensuring that students in underserved areas had access to literature.

Books for a Brighter Future

The donation was a game-changer for local schools, many of which had limited budgets for library resources. Librarians reported receiving boxes filled with diverse titles, from picture books for elementary students to novels for high schoolers. “These books are a lifeline,” said Maria Gonzalez, a librarian at Wyomissing Area High School. “Some of our kids don’t have books at home. Now they have stories to inspire them, thanks to Taylor and Travis.” The couple worked with school administrators to ensure the books were distributed equitably, with a focus on schools serving low-income communities.

The act resonated deeply in Wyomissing, where residents saw it as a reflection of Swift’s roots and Kelce’s commitment to giving back. “Taylor’s always been one of us,” said longtime resident Susan Carter. “She knows what this town means, and for her and Travis to do this—it’s like they’re giving back to her past and our future.” Kelce, who has supported educational initiatives through his Tight End University platform, emphasized the importance of literacy in a statement to a local paper: “Books open doors. We wanted to make sure these kids have that chance.”

A Note That Touched a Heart

As Bennett sorted through the final box of books before they were shipped to schools, he discovered something extraordinary: a single volume, a worn copy of To Kill a Mockingbird, with a folded note tucked inside. The note, written in Swift’s distinctive handwriting, read:

Dear Mr. Bennett,
Your bookstore was a haven for so many, including me when I was just a kid dreaming of stories. Thank you for keeping this place alive for so long. We hope it can shine again for years to come. Keep telling stories—they matter.
With gratitude,
Taylor

Below her signature, Kelce had added a brief message: “You’re a legend, Harold. Keep the pages turning. – Travis.” Enclosed with the note was a personal check for $25,000, intended for Bennett to use for his own needs, whether for retirement or to continue his work at the store. Bennett, overcome with emotion, sat down and wept. “I’ve never felt so seen,” he said. “That note—it wasn’t just about the money. It was about knowing someone cared.”

The discovery of the note spread quickly through Wyomissing, with residents sharing photos of it on social media. Fans of Swift and Kelce praised the couple’s thoughtfulness, noting that the personal touch of the handwritten note was as meaningful as their financial contributions. “That’s Taylor,” one fan posted on X. “She doesn’t just give—she connects.”

A Legacy Reborn

With the renovations complete, Bennett’s Books reopened in late September 2025, drawing crowds from across the region. The revamped store now features a cozy reading nook named “Taylor’s Corner,” stocked with books Swift loved as a child, and a small display case showcasing the note, which Bennett framed for all to see. The store has become a point of pride for Wyomissing, with visitors leaving messages of gratitude in a guestbook by the counter. “This place feels alive again,” Bennett said at the reopening. “I thought I’d be closing the door forever, but now it’s wide open.”

Swift and Kelce’s involvement didn’t end with the donation. They committed to an ongoing partnership with the store, funding a monthly book club for local students and providing grants for aspiring writers in the community. The couple’s actions echo their broader philanthropic efforts, from Swift’s support for disaster relief to Kelce’s community work through Tight End University. Their collaboration in Wyomissing reflects a shared value: using their platform to uplift others.

A Community Inspired

The story of Bennett’s Books has become a symbol of hope in Wyomissing, reminding residents of the power of small acts with big impacts. For local schools, the donated books have sparked a renewed interest in reading, with teachers reporting increased engagement among students. For Bennett, the couple’s intervention gave him not just a revitalized store but a renewed sense of purpose. “I’m 82, but I feel like I’ve got another chapter in me,” he said with a smile.

Swift and Kelce, who have been celebrated for their quiet acts of kindness—like their visit to a Nashville senior home after a storm in 2025—continue to show that their influence extends far beyond music and football. Their work in Wyomissing is a testament to their belief in community, storytelling, and the enduring power of a good book. As one student, clutching a donated copy of Charlotte’s Web, put it: “I didn’t know who Taylor Swift was before, but now I think she’s kind of like a superhero.”

For Harold Bennett, the note from Swift and Kelce is more than a keepsake—it’s a reminder that stories, like bookstores, can live on when people care enough to save them. In Wyomissing, that legacy is now written in the pages of a new chapter, one that promises to inspire for years to come.