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Simply Soul Searching Karen :)'s avatar

I love your updates--I get to "virtually experience" a long-ago dream of mine--thank you!

Oh, I can only imagine how weary or overwhelmed you must feel at times. But Maile's surprising answer ("should we buy?"), the excitement we all share with you, your smile upon waking, and how this is coming to be, tells me this is not just a new venture; it is a holy vocation.

Keep smiling! (And working!)

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Shawn Smucker's avatar

Thanks for coming along, Karen! :)

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David Kern's avatar

I remember those days from when we opened in November 2020. Intense times. It kinda stays that way lol.

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Shawn Smucker's avatar

:)

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Jolina Petersheim's avatar

My brother-in-law and sister-in-law live in Lancaster. I hope to visit your store when I visit them. Wish your whole family all the best!

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Shawn Smucker's avatar

Oh, fun! I wonder if I know them? Thanks for the well wishes, Jolina!

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Jolina Petersheim's avatar

Their names are Jen and Ryan Weaver. They moved back (from here in TN) three years ago. Ryan’s dad started Lanco Mechanicals, and he works there now. Jen said she wished Lancaster had an independent bookstore after we visited one in our area. What a gift to your community!

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Brooke Shorey's avatar

I don't even know how I'd narrow it down. Owning a bookstore - what a wonder!

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Kris Camealy's avatar

Just cheering wildly over here and praying for a heap of supernatural energy to get the things done. 💫🙏🏼

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Shawn Smucker's avatar

Thanks, Kris. And your new office is absolutely stunning.

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Danielle D.'s avatar

Can't wait to follow along on this new adventure for your family! And thrilled to see This is Happiness in the list of must-orders. :) I wish way more people knew about this book. Here's to hoping you get a chance to hand-sell it and delight a whole new group of readers!

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Shawn Smucker's avatar

I can't wait to convince everyone to read that book!

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MJ Lau's avatar

This is such an exciting time for you (and, vicariously, for me!), but I’m sure it’s exhausting as well. I’m so happy for you guys, and I plan to reward myself with a visit to nooooks soon!

PS - didn’t you want SIX o’s, one for each child? 🙃

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Shawn Smucker's avatar

We should have!

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Abigail's avatar

Can't wait to see it in person! :) I love the blue shelves. (Those are dark blue in the picture, yes?)

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Shawn Smucker's avatar

Yes, they are! Shelves my dad picked up from a house that was getting rid of them, so we had them in our basement for a while, but when we bought the store, they seemed a perfect fit.

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Sherry V. Chidwick's avatar

So exciting! I can't wait to drop by in person one of these days--hopefully this fall.

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Shawn Smucker's avatar

That would be great, Sherry.

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Jason H.'s avatar

It is SO FUN to follow your journey!! And I appreciate the photos in the Substack and to get a peek behind the curtain of owing a bookstore. Please keep us in the loop. :)

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Shawn Smucker's avatar

Will do! Thanks, Jason.

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Jana Gillham's avatar

Wow! What an endeavor!!! We who write salute thee! A brick and mortar home for tales and adventures and imaginary friends. Blessings all over you!!!

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Shawn Smucker's avatar

Thanks, Jana!

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Jody L. Collins's avatar

Shawn, it's been a secret dream of mine for years to own a bookstore--the used book kind. But any bookstore with good books is a dream.... living vicariously through you and Maile's new adventure.

Will be thinking of you all at Nooooooks next week.

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Shawn Smucker's avatar

Thanks, Jody! You'd make a great bookstore owner.

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Jody L. Collins's avatar

Ahhh.... thanks! I'd probably buy myself out of any profits :-)

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Abby Ball's avatar

Thank you for sharing this with us - I could not love it more! So glad for you and your family to be having this dream come true.

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Shawn Smucker's avatar

Thanks, Abby! You're very kind.

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Rebecca D. Martin's avatar

Have you read A City of Bells by Elizabeth Goudge? Your description of setting up the store sounds so much like the character Jocelyn's experience setting up his own. (Love a book that takes place in a bookstore.)

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Shawn Smucker's avatar

I haven't but that sounds fun...or maybe I'm not ready to relive this experience just yet! Ha!

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Kym VdP's avatar

So fun to see this! Love the glimpse into the process! 👏🏻

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Shawn Smucker's avatar

Thanks, Kym!

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Beka McDowell's avatar

Can't wait to be there IN PERSON to celebrate with you all! And to start buying books from you. :)

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Shawn Smucker's avatar

WE CAN'T WAIT EITHER!

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