Congratulations to Lake Country Booksellers, White Bear Lake, Minn., which is celebrating 35 years in business today, the Pioneer Press reported, adding: "Thanks to the devotion of female owners past and present, the 900-square-foot store has persevered through challenges from big-box stores like Barnes & Noble, economic downturns and changes in the ways publishers relate to booksellers."
Co-owners Susie Fruncillo, Faith Basten, Nancy Thysell and Roberta (Bert) Kiemele "are the second generation to own the store that was opened on April Fools' Day in 1980 by North Oaks friends Alta Johnson, Mary Haxby, Persis Fitzpatrick, Ginny McClanahan and Judy Colton," the Pioneer Press wrote.
Fruncillo noted that three of the original owners were still there when she began her career 17 years ago: "They taught me the business. I was in here all the time anyway, and I love to read. So do Bert and Faith, who have been here 15 years, and Nancy, who bought in 10 years ago."
"Our customers are educated people who take literature seriously," Fruncillo said. "A few customers on Manitou Island who live here part of the year think they are single-handedly supporting the store. One man buys hardcovers and gives them back for resale. He says, 'I want you to be here when I come home.' "
She added: "We are important to the community. People would be upset if we weren't here anymore."
