About Time bookstore will host a grand-opening celebration this coming Friday, October 25, at 528 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Libertyville, Ill. The celebration will include a free tote bag for the first 20 purchasers, storytimes, food, and a ribbon cutting with the Mayor of Libertyville, Donna Johnson.
The Daily Herald reported that owner Delanie Dochelli's "obsession with reading began at Grant High School in Fox Lake when an AP literature teacher suggested a book she might like."
"From there, I couldn't stop. I love reading. I love the culture behind it. I love going to the bookstore," said Dochelli, adding that while she savors the selection of independents in Chicago, they are less common in the suburbs.
She explained the store's name in a Facebook post: "Books are about unique times in characters' stories. They take you through the past, present or future with words and pure imagination. About Time Bookstore will be a welcoming space for everyone to explore, relax and connect."
Midnight release parties, author signings and readings, book clubs, writing and yoga classes are among the possibilities for the new store, the Daily Record noted.
"I want people to do community events here, bring people in and create a community in itself. That will help from a sales standpoint," Dochelli said. "I want it to be an experience. I don't want people to think of it as a bookstore."
She became familiar with the publishing industry, author promotion, and corporate event planning while attending Butler University. For the past five years she has been working in digital marketing, but about a year ago decided to pursue bookselling as a business.
"I said, 'I want to do this. I'm going to put together a business plan and visit these places,' " she recalled, adding that Libertyville was among several communities considered but was first in her mind from the start. "I walked in and I knew," she said of the space. "I loved it. It was the town."