Inspired to become a bookseller by watching the movie You've Got Mail, Ann Lacefield opened An Open Book in Greeley, Colo., October 31. "Then the hard reality hit, that there's more to this than I thought," Lacefield acknowledged. As a former teacher, Lacefield did her homework before opening her 1, 400-sq.-ft. general bookstore—she went to Paz & Associates bookseller school in May. To build ties to the community, Lacefield plans to hold monthly children's events and will offer space to book clubs and other local organizations.
Charles Kaine, who is opening Reader's Cove this week in Fort Collins, did not have time to attend bookselling school, but he worked closely with the American Booksellers Association and the Mountains and Plains Booksellers Association to prepare himself for his new store, which he co-owns with his wife.
Kaine's introduction to the book world came in 2005 when his Last Knight Publishing imprint released Ace on the River: An Advanced Poker Guide by Barry Greenstein and Doug Brunson. He used the earnings from his publishing venture as seed money for the 7,200-sq.-ft. store. Reader's Cove features a Jimmy Buffet—inspired décor, complete with a pirate ship in the children's section.
