"We know each of you love a good story. Today we'll tell you one," Scout & Morgan Books in Cambridge, Minn., noted in a Facebook post detailing the bookshop's recent foray into minor auto repair.
"Let us lead off by saying, this is not a boast or a tooting of our own horn. We're sharing because the message will be one of encouragement," Scout & Morgan wrote. "Earlier in the week, the store had been busy all morning. In a lull, a very longtime supporter arrived. She shuffled back to the mystery section. An avid reader, she sometimes needs help determining which books she's read in certain series. Our bookseller helped her select several books.
"As they headed to the register, she told Bookseller all about her upcoming vacation with her family. She hoped to catch some fish and catch up on reading her new titles. She paid and said goodbye. She was heading to the co-op for lunch. More customers came in and out. About 15 minutes later, Bookseller looked up to the door bells jingling. Ms. Mystery had returned. She approached the counter and dropped her car keys on it. In desperation, she exclaimed that she couldn't get her car door remote to unlock the doors. Her extra set of keys was locked in the car.
"Bookseller quickly opened the key fob and started dialing the phone. Her sister answered, 'Sister! I need you to please bring me a CR 2032 button battery to Scout & Morgan. Can you help? I've got a stranded customer.' (Her sister works at a local auto dealership just 5 blocks away.) During this conversation, Ms. Mystery is telling the bookseller 'you don't need to do that.'
"Bookseller hangs up the phone. 'I know I don't need to do that. I want to do it. I can do it. Also, Scout & Morgan has been trying to get into minor automotive repairs for some time. I think this is our opportunity. Plus, my sister is at work alone this week and looking for ANY reason to leave.'
"Ms. Mystery chuckles in relief. 5 minutes later, Sister pulls up with the fresh battery. They install it. Customers come in. Sister and Ms. Mystery go to the vehicle and voilà! The door opens! Ms. Mystery offers to pay. Sister declines. Payment not needed. It feels really good to do something nice for someone. Be encouraged. Be a helper. Slow down for someone who needs you. (Also, we claim no actual expertise in automotive anything, however, we're pretty good at the book business.)"