Gillette Kempf is the new owner of Chapter 2 Books, Hudson, Wis., the Star-Observer reported. She purchased the business from Brian and Sue Roegge, who opened the store in 2011 and retired this year. In a Facebook post after the sale closed, Roegge noted: "Brian and I are riding off into the sunset. Thank you so much to all my friends who supported us over the years. You will always have a special place in my heart. God I'm tempted to name some names but better not!"
Kempf ran a bricks-and-mortar bookstore in a small Minnesota town before selling it to establish her life in Wisconsin. The Star-Observer noted that she and Shelly Weinstein, who will be the store's manager, "became best friends in college. They've traveled together, studied together, lived together, lived across the country from each other and their friendship has thrived through it all." When Kempf, her sons and husband moved to the River Falls area about five years ago, Weinstein relocated to the area as well.
Upon learning that Chapter 2 Books was for sale, Kempf said the "universe aligned." The bookstore is her "light at the end of the tunnel," she added.
Books are lifeblood for Kempf and Weinstein, the Star-Observer wrote, noting that the store "will reflect readers of all ages and interests. Kempf and Weinstein are organizing books not so much on genre, but theme. Think sports, nature, adventure, friendship and not so much fiction, nonfiction or biography. A large children's section has already begun to form, as well as young reader sections."
"Books are really the only way to walk a mile in someone else's shoes," Weinstein said.