 |
|
| Lakeside owners Brian Thomas and I'Ching Chan-Thomas | |
Lakeside Books, a nonprofit bookstore in Waconia, Minn, held a grand opening celebration on October 2, the Patriot reported.
Located at 9 W. 1st St., Lakeside Books carries a general-interest selection of new and used titles for all ages. The space features seating, a coffee corner, and a dedicated children's area, and the store's event plans include author readings, book clubs, storytime sessions, and more. Proceeds from the bookstore will go toward supporting local causes.
Owners Brian Thomas and I'Ching Chan-Thomas announced their plans to open Lakeside Books last summer and had expected to have the bookstore open by the end of the year. Renovations and remodeling took much longer than expected, but the couple was able to host a grand opening and ribbon cutting earlier this month.
Thomas, a theologian and professor, previously managed a bookstore in Virginia, while Chan-Thomas has worked in corporate marketing and communications and currently has a leadership role at a nonprofit.
While working on the renovations, the owners gathered a collection of around 15,000 books. Some 9,000 of those books, along with some shelving, came from Jerry and Pam Chamberlain, retiring owners of Bookshelves & Coffeecups in New Ulm, Minn. Thomas noted that the store currently has about 7,000 books on the shelves, with the rest waiting in storage.
"It's all about bringing in customers and moving books out of the front door and moving in new books from the back," Thomas told the Patriot.
Per the Patriot, Lakeside Books is the first bookstore to open in Waconia for more than 20 years.