Our Town Books in Jacksonville, Ill., is relocating to 74 E. Central Park Plaza due to extensive water damage at its nearby downtown space. The Journal-Courier reported that owner Khristina Helmich "had been weighing the idea of expanding the store since taking it over in 2023, owing to the fact that it hosts multiple book clubs and community events. Within the past year, however, water damage from severe weather events helped solidify her choice."
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| Volunteers help with Our Town Books' move. | |
"Books and water don't mix," she said, adding that water leaking into the building from storms has caused about $1,000 worth of merchandise to be damaged in 2026 alone.
"We have literally sat here and watched the rain pour in through the windows," Helmich said. "Same thing in the back, where our storage room is (and) where we keep all of our inventory and extra things. We have literally watched it pour in on the walls."
Once set up in the new building, Our Town Books will continue running as normal after giving itself a week or two off to get things set up, with any new additions to the space most likely waiting until around January, the Journal-Courier noted.
Helmich noted that while she loved the bookstore's existing location and tried to make it work, moving to the new space will allow the store to "not just continue the business that we have, but make it better," including hosting more community events. "I think it's due, moving into a different space."
Our Town Books recently hosted a Book Brigade event to help with the move, posting on Instagram: "I don't even know how to express how thankful and relieved and happy we were to see all of you this morning. Our community (including other store owners!) showed up for us and moved ALL of our books in less than an hour! Then several of you stuck around to help us move all the furniture! We are just so insanely thankful. We can't wait to open the new store with all of you and today helped us so much! Thank YOU thank YOU, THANK YOU!!"