Texian Books, a bookstore with a focus on contemporary fiction, children's literature and books about Texas or by Texas authors, has opened in Victoria, Tex., the Victoria Advocate reported.
The store is owned by Eveline Bethune and her husband, Kenneth Bethune, who own a variety of businesses in Victoria, including a clothing and accessory store and a distillery. Eveline Bethune told the Advocate that they decided to open Texian Books "in part to fill the gap left when Hastings closed in 2016."
The Bethunes opened Texian Books not in a conventional storefront but in an historic home in Victoria. For now, the store's inventory is small, with about 800 titles. The store is open only three days per week and, because it is in a residential neighborhood, visits are by appointment only. According to Bethune, the store may expand its inventory or even move into downtown Victoria depending on customer feedback.
The owners plan to have an adult-focused book club as well as a storytime for children, and Bethune will start a book subscription service in which she sends customers two books per month. The store's first event was a grand opening celebration last Thursday that featured hors d'oeuvres and cocktails.
"People can come and read and stay as long as they'd like," Bethune told the Advocate. "It's set up just like my house would be, so it really feel like a home."