Sunshine Book Nook, offering new and used books, officially opened December 13 at 111 N. Main St. in Urbana, Ohio. After the opening festivities, the store posted on Facebook: "Today was just the most incredible day. Thank you for showing up and supporting our dream. We are truly humbled by your excitement and support. We love this community!"
Owners Don and Christina Flowers "envision a cozy, welcoming community space filled with stories, conversation, and connection," the Daily Citizen reported.
"We are intentionally a community bookstore with a focus on developing relationships and supporting our customers," they said. "Supporting our local authors is very important to us. We sell both new and used books at varying price points so everyone can find just the right book."
The idea for the bookstore "grew from both a shared passion for reading and a desire to create a space that brings people together. Don, who spent his career in technology and the military, was drawn to the opportunity to build something meaningful alongside his wife and to create a place centered on community connection," Urbana Daily Digital reported.
"I love the idea of a community bookstore where all are seen, heard, and appreciated," he said. "It allows me to be creative and connect with my community."
Christina Flowers's perspective "is shaped by her lifelong connection to reading and her background in education. She hopes the bookstore will offer the same sense of connection and inspiration she has found through books," Urbana Daily Digital noted.
"Books bring me joy and calm, and I want to share that with others. As a former teacher, promoting literacy is very important to me," she noted. "I love being able to bring my community together."