The Story Between Chapters: How We Got Here

Let’s talk, just for a minute, about transitions.

The messy ones. The beautiful ones. The kind that ask you to step into something bigger than yourself and do it with both reverence and resolve.

This week, book/shop, etc. is opening its doors for the first time. It’s a soft launch on purpose. Not because we aren’t ready, but because we are still becoming. And in the middle of that becoming, I want to take a moment to speak clearly, directly, and human to human about the path that led us here.

Because while some are celebrating, others are questioning. And honestly, I get it.

Here’s what’s true.

I was a regular at Downtown Book and Toy. A customer who spent time, money, and more than a few soul-searching afternoons there. In November 2024, I sent a message to the most recent owner. Not with a proposal or a plan, but with a question:

“…I wanted to pop in to see if you might need any part-time help at the bookstore? Or maybe even help with other services like online presence, social media, website, etc? I really need to find something part time to get me out of the house and help with my mental health. So wanted to start by asking you as working at the bookstore would be right up my alley…”

I didn’t reach out to take over. I reached out because I needed something that would light me up. I was honest about that. And I think that honesty made room for something unexpected to grow.

What started as a part-time job quickly became something more.

I found joy in shelving books and chatting with customers. I saw what this store had been and imagined what it might still become. So I asked if I could help more. Maybe full time. Maybe creatively. I asked questions, and she sat with the answers.

From my perspective (and I can only speak from that), I saw someone who loved the store but was ready to step away. Someone carrying the weight of all that comes with small business ownership. Emotionally. Financially. Personally.

Because building and running a business is no small thing.

It takes more than people realize. You give up weekends and income and sleep. You pour everything in and hope something lasting takes root. I saw that in her. And I brought that understanding with me into every conversation.

By the end of January, the transition talks became real.
Not tomorrow. Not as a quick sale. But through a careful, intentional process of exploration and possibility.

So I showed up for the conversations. Not just with ideas, but with work gloves.

I met with lawyers and accountants to explore options, outlined multiple approaches, and looked for ways to move forward that honored everyone involved. I stepped away from the register when needed and leaned into the backend when asked. I did the work long before anything was official because I cared for the humans involved in the process.

And eventually, we all said yes.
Yes to transferring the assets, the shelves, the signage.
Yes to honoring the 40+ year legacy of the space, not just the last few years.
Yes to continuing the story in a way that was thoughtful and aligned.

And here’s the thing.
Any transition this personal is going to stir up feelings.
Some are rooted in truth. Some are rooted in misunderstanding. Some are the natural byproduct of letting go of something you once loved.

There is no one-size-fits-all story here. And that’s okay.
I respect the complexity of it. The layers. The nuance.
I don’t claim to speak for anyone but myself and the truth of my own lived experience.

But I do want to be clear about a few things:

• The Facebook page for Downtown Book and Toy was transferred willingly as part of the transition plan, approved by the former owner. It remains a platform used to honor the space’s legacy while pointing toward its future. We have never pretended to be the old business. We’ve consistently acknowledged the handoff, the change, and the evolution - with the support of a professional team helping us shape and steward that story with care.

• We are not rewriting history. We are preserving the parts that matter. The heart of the space. The love people had for it. The community it served. And we are building on top of that foundation.

• I have made mistakes. I am human. I am still learning what it means to lead something like this with integrity and vision. I may not always get it right. But every decision I have made has been guided by care, community, and the clarity that only hindsight brings. I am learning from every step and adjusting as I go. I commit to always being as transparent as I can be without overshare or crossing boundaries and to always lead this vision with heart-forward leadership, even when it’s hard.

• We are not here to drag anyone. While there are plenty of stories I could tell about what this transition entailed, from unexpected obstacles to quiet betrayals, I won’t. I didn’t take this on to air dirty laundry. I took this on to build something that lasts within a community I love and desire to serve.

• II understand that some former employees may not have felt fully informed. I can’t speak to how internal communication was handled before the transition. But I can say that I’ve always spoken truthfully based on what I understood at the time. I am deeply sorry for any offense or confusion this transition may have caused. My door remains open for any meaningful conversations rooted in clarity, respect, and repair.

I’ve said this before and I’ll keep saying it.
We are not perfect. But we are trying to navigate this transition with care and reverence.
We are learning in real time how to build something meaningful and inclusive and sustainable.
And when I say “we,” I don’t just mean me. I mean a whole crew of humans who believe in what this space can be.

This journey has asked a lot of me.
More than most will ever know.
And I will keep showing up.
Not for applause. Not for credit.
But because I believe in what this space can mean for our community.
And because when something truly matters, you give it everything you’ve got, even the parts no one sees.

So if you’ve supported us, thank you.
If you have questions, I welcome them.
If you’ve felt hurt or unsure, I see you. And I hope you’ll connect so we can clear the air.

Because book/shop, etc. is not just a new bookstore.
It is a place where community, conversation, and real humans intersect.
It is an indie bookstore. A creative retail space. And a love letter to the intersection of story, space, and self.

And if you walk in, you’ll see it.
You’ll see a space that honors what came before while making room for what’s next.
You’ll see staff who love this place - some familiar faces, some new ones.
You’ll see a store that didn’t erase a legacy. It gave it room to breathe.

To the loyal customers of Downtown Book and Toy, thank you for showing up all these years.

To the founding family, thank you for your trust, your encouragement, and your blessing to carry this forward.

To the future, we’re just getting started.

With heart,
Lauren Janee
Owner, book/shop, etc.