The Little Book children's bookstore, which opened last February at 520 Euclid Ave., Suite 102, Des Moines, Iowa, is expanding into the space next door, Suite 103, which will be called "The Bank" and feature adult-centered titles. In an Instagram post, co-owners Bethany and David Fast wrote: "If you've been to The Little Book, you may have noticed the gorgeous corner space with the beautiful, historic arched windows right next to us. It's been staring us down for months... and now it's ours."
Describing the expansion project as "multi-faceted," the Little Book's owners said that adding books for adults is "bringing to Highland Park what so many of you have asked for.... The Little Book will forever remain kid-centric, but The Bank will open up doors to our customers who have been lovingly (and consistently) asking for a more adult-centered section of the store.
"This beautiful historic space (which was literally the Euclid State Bank when first erected) will also fill a need for both us and our community--a much needed space for small private events like bridal and baby showers, birthdays, family holidays, etc., as well as indoor vendor markets, workshops, author events... the possibilities are endless."
Construction is set to begin in the next few weeks. A door will be added between the two spaces. Expanded adult fiction sections, a complete overhaul and addition of nonfiction subgenres, as well as sections like poetry, classics, and more are in the works. Some rearranging of the current space, including a special section dedicated to graphic novels for children, middle grade, YA, and adult, as well as more manga selections, is planned. The Book Bank's opening date has not been specified yet.