River Stone Bookshop recently hosted a ribbon-cutting and grand opening celebration at 205 N. Cascade St. in downtown Osceola, Wis. The Sun reported that stepping inside the new bookstore "feels less like entering a retail store and more like walking into someone's living room. That's exactly what owner Jennifer Randall had in mind."
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| Jennifer Randall | |
Randall graduated from Metropolitan State University in St. Paul, Minn., with a degree in writing, and had previously been working in auto sales. She felt called back to the world of literature to pursue a new adventure and open her own bookstore.
Calling the community response thus far "exceptional," she said, "Opening this bookstore really came from a strong, constant pull that I couldn't ignore. It was something I felt every day, even when I didn't know how it would all come together. I just kept taking steps, and little by little, things fell into place. I just kept getting in front of the right people to guide me. I'm a woman of faith, and I feel like this is what the Lord wanted me to do."
Her goal for the bookshop's inventory mix is to feature 80% used books and 20% new titles. She plans to hold writing workshops and author events and offer cold-brew coffee.
She added that she hopes River Stone Bookshop becomes a lasting business in downtown Osceola and a place where people return regularly. The Sun noted that for Randall, "the shop means more than just a new venture; it's the beginning of a journey she once doubted she would undertake."
"I struggled with learning challenges over the years (my whole life), and because of that, I often felt like I was the one watching other people build things--not someone who would actually do it myself," Randall said. "Being here now, owning a bookstore, feels incredibly meaningful to me. It's something I never fully believed I could do, and that makes it even more special."