Aslan's Square, a bookstore and coffee shop with titles for all ages, has officially opened in Dyersville, Iowa, the Dyersville Commercial reported. Store owner Jacey Stanbro hosted a grand opening celebration on June 29.
"It is such a tight-knit community, and everyone is so warm and welcoming," Stanbro said. "It is such a beautiful area that is going to grow, so I thought it would be the perfect time to put in a coffee shop and bookstore."
The store carries new and used books across all genres, and a plethora of nonbook items such as candles, stationery and homemade pottery. There is Wi-Fi for customers and areas for shoppers to sit and read, as well as a children's area.
The coffee shop side of the business sells pour-over coffee, loose-leaf tea and a variety of baked goods. Each cup of coffee sold goes toward supporting Christian missions, and the tea is sourced from a Christian company in Washington. The baked goods, meanwhile, are made every day by a local named Shelly Rollins.
Stanbro emphasized that while she is Christian, her store is not an exclusively Christian bookstore, as she carries general-interest books for everyone. Over the coming months, she plans to start hosting live music, wine and cheese tastings, book talks and Bible study groups.