Yesterday we bought a bookstore. We are now the proud owners of Nooks, a wonderful little place on North Prince Street in Lancaster. I’m stunned. Nervous. Excited. Amazed. Talk about The Surrender Experiment? This is it. When I was around eight years old, we lived in an old farmhouse in the middle of hundreds of acres of cornfields, in Lancaster, PA. I was the tenth generation of my family to be born and raised in the area. There was an old Mennonite church and cemetery on the other side of the barely-two-lanes back road, and beyond that a stream, and beyond that anything we could imagine. My Amish friend Daniel and I would ford the stream and explore the distant, abandoned mill, build dams in the creek and fish until the sun went down and the solitary light in the church parking lot winked on. Then I ran home through the thick summer dusk.
I don’t know that I’ve ever been more giddy for a total stranger. I live on the opposite side of the country but should I ever find myself in PA I will go out of my way to visit! Cheering you on in this grand adventure, the risk, the dream, all of it!
Yay for taking risks! Yay for owning a bookstore (this makes perfect since to me from my POV)! Yay for bookstores with CHEESE in the front! Yay for Lisa-Jo Baker! All good things! So happy for you and Maile! One more reason to visit Lancaster…
P.S.
My husband and I took over a restaurant several years ago. Sadly, it did not work out for us in the long term (books are a better financial investment, so don’t be discouraged!). Even with a less than ideal outcome, we have no regrets. It would have been harder to live with the question of “but what if we had just done it when we had the chance?”. Not very many people get to “live their dream” before 40 and we count ourselves fortunate to have had the experience… most days. ;) Praying for many years of flourishing for you!
Congratulations! That is so exciting! I took have dreamed of owning a bookstore! Lancaster is only a couple hours from me so maybe I can visit sometime. Gina
Congratulations!!! I am so thrilled that you guys did it. Sitting alone in my own store today, with a whopping $6 sale under my belt to show for my pains, this gives me so much hope. There ARE people out there who love books as much as my husband and I do, and we can and will find them in this community, Lord willing. I don't say this to discourage you, but there will be bad days. Just keep remembering WHY you did this in the first place: your love of books, your love of people, your love of the magic when the right book meets the right person. God bless you in this endeavor, and I will be eagerly anticipating any updates you care to post about this amazing new venture!
This is wonderful! I cried! We moved here about a year ago and I stumbled upon Nooks on IG because my daughter and I are big readers. We hadn't had the chance to check out their new location because life had gotten so busy. I was devastated when I heard it was closing. I tell my husband each time we pass by on our way to Central Market how I envisioned one day taking my daughter and possible future babies to that beautifully curated shop. This gives me so much hope. Thank you for taking a risk in a world where small shops are struggling to bring the world of make believe and imagination to our youth. We will be by to visit once you open. I'm not missing my chance this time.
Wonderful. Will you be connected to Bookshop.org? I buy books via their site as it allows me to select an indie bookstore who then receives a donation amount from my purchase. I would love to be able to select Nooks to be on my list of Indies. Thank you and all good wishes.
Hurrah for this next season and all the good and the crazy that will come with it! You have made me smile, remembering my childhood reading escapes and love of the library. God bless you both!
Congratulations, Shawn and Maile!! I can't wait to visit and welcome you to the neighborhood!
Aaaand here’s me crying over that conclusion. What a beautiful and important new adventure.
I don’t know that I’ve ever been more giddy for a total stranger. I live on the opposite side of the country but should I ever find myself in PA I will go out of my way to visit! Cheering you on in this grand adventure, the risk, the dream, all of it!
I'M SO STINKING EXCITED FOR Y'ALL! Sorry to write in all-caps, but this is worth it... I love this so, so much!
Yay for taking risks! Yay for owning a bookstore (this makes perfect since to me from my POV)! Yay for bookstores with CHEESE in the front! Yay for Lisa-Jo Baker! All good things! So happy for you and Maile! One more reason to visit Lancaster…
P.S.
My husband and I took over a restaurant several years ago. Sadly, it did not work out for us in the long term (books are a better financial investment, so don’t be discouraged!). Even with a less than ideal outcome, we have no regrets. It would have been harder to live with the question of “but what if we had just done it when we had the chance?”. Not very many people get to “live their dream” before 40 and we count ourselves fortunate to have had the experience… most days. ;) Praying for many years of flourishing for you!
Wow! Talk about living the dream. I’m so happy for you. I hope I get a chance to visit someday.
Congratulations. So truly wonderful! Thanks for sharing your story.
So happy for you! Can't wait to see what you do with this "yes."
Congratulations! That is so exciting! I took have dreamed of owning a bookstore! Lancaster is only a couple hours from me so maybe I can visit sometime. Gina
Congratulations!!! I am so thrilled that you guys did it. Sitting alone in my own store today, with a whopping $6 sale under my belt to show for my pains, this gives me so much hope. There ARE people out there who love books as much as my husband and I do, and we can and will find them in this community, Lord willing. I don't say this to discourage you, but there will be bad days. Just keep remembering WHY you did this in the first place: your love of books, your love of people, your love of the magic when the right book meets the right person. God bless you in this endeavor, and I will be eagerly anticipating any updates you care to post about this amazing new venture!
This is wonderful! I cried! We moved here about a year ago and I stumbled upon Nooks on IG because my daughter and I are big readers. We hadn't had the chance to check out their new location because life had gotten so busy. I was devastated when I heard it was closing. I tell my husband each time we pass by on our way to Central Market how I envisioned one day taking my daughter and possible future babies to that beautifully curated shop. This gives me so much hope. Thank you for taking a risk in a world where small shops are struggling to bring the world of make believe and imagination to our youth. We will be by to visit once you open. I'm not missing my chance this time.
Well, that's fun! Congratulations on living your dream!
Wonderful. Will you be connected to Bookshop.org? I buy books via their site as it allows me to select an indie bookstore who then receives a donation amount from my purchase. I would love to be able to select Nooks to be on my list of Indies. Thank you and all good wishes.
Wishing you the very best - let this be where your dharma will flourish!
Hurrah for this next season and all the good and the crazy that will come with it! You have made me smile, remembering my childhood reading escapes and love of the library. God bless you both!
I’m so thankful Nooks is in such good hands. And I can hardly wait for opening day!