Bookseller Luke Mettler is taking over management of CatTale's Books and Gifts in Brainerd, Minn., from owner Theresa Woodward, the Brainerd Dispatch reported.
Woodward, who purchased the store from original owner Wendy Rosnau in 2016, had decided to sell the business and move to Missouri, in the hopes that warmer weather would help alleviate some of the symptoms of her arthritis and fibromyalgia. She had a potential buyer lined up in early 2023, but that deal fell through. Now, Woodward has turned to Mettler to run the bookstore in her stead.
The new and used bookstore also sells puzzles, toys, jewelry, cards, and other gift items. Once Mettler finds his footing, he hopes to expand the bookstore event offerings with things like tea parties and book club meetings.
"This has been a really fulfilling job," Mettler told the Dispatch. "It's really cool to see all the different local community people that I've seen at my previous jobs, and just seeing how excited and happy books make people."