Shared Stories will host a grand opening celebration tomorrow, Saturday, April 20, at 106 S. Kimball Ave. in Caldwell, Idaho. BoiseDev reported that a love for books inspired George Decker and his wife, Jocele Skinner, to start their first business venture in the 1,250-square-foot space that now offers new books, cards, gifts, candles, puzzles, and more.
Many of the nonbook items on offer are made locally, including soaps and candles from New Plymouth. Even the shelves were made in Middleton at Brick Barn Furniture, and Skinner, "who had an idea of what she wanted the shop to smell like, sourced the scent locally as well," BoiseDev noted.
"We have our own candles that we went next door to Lit&Co and spent a couple of hours getting the scent just right," Decker said. "My wife, Jocele, wanted the smell of reading a book while in a rainstorm in the Owyhee Mountains, and I think we got pretty close."
Shared Stories, which had its soft opening last week, has long been a dream of Skinner's. "We're book nerds," Decker said. "Have been forever. I remember one of the first conversations that I had with Jocele when we were dating back in 2003, and she said her ultimate dream is to either run, work in, or have something to do with a bookstore. And well, it's been 20-plus years, and it's come true."
The bookstore's website notes that the goal for Shared Stories is "to build a community through books and shared experiences. Our store is a place for book lovers and enthusiasts who enjoy reading and literature. It’s the power of storytelling and shared stories that bring us all together."