Mind Chimes Bookshop, an independent bookstore in Three Lakes, Wis., celebrated its grand opening last Saturday, the Northwoods River News reported.
Owner Laura Lowry, a former pediatrician and adjunct professor of anatomy and physiology, told River News she decided to open a store of her own last year, after "feeling the void of living in a town without a bookstore." The store offers books for all age groups and interests, and Lowry noted that she will carry a particularly strong selection of children's books and books about preventive health care.
The grand opening celebration featured a visit from Wisconsin author Josephine Cameron, whose debut novel, Maybe a Mermaid, takes place at a fictional resort closely based on a resort near Three Lakes. She read from her novel, signed books and led a variety of children's activities throughout the afternoon, including a comics-making station and a book scavenger hunt. She also had photos on hand of the real Northwoods resort.
"We've lost so many independent bookstores over the years," Cameron wrote. "So I'm excited to be a part of this grand opening. I'm especially happy to celebrate in Three Lakes where the idea for my book began."