Boss Lady Books, a mobile bookstore, and CJ's Cookie Counter, have teamed up "to create a space for local avid readers where books, cookies and coffee come together" at 506 N. Main St. in Lumberton, Tex., the Beaumont Enterprise reported. The new location opened April 11.
Amy Isbell, owner of Boss Lady Books, and CJ's Cookie Counter owner Ashley Moss said the idea to bring their businesses together came after a seasonal event last November, but "before beginning to work together officially, they redesigned the pink 'kids-centered place' to a hybrid cafe-bakery with cool blue tones," the Enterprise wrote.
"I loved (Isbell's) bookmobile, and I just thought this collaboration needed to happen," Moss said. "I'm an avid reader, and so this is the best ever. I love it. Every reader wants a snack and a place to hang out."
Isbell and Moss envision their venture hosting community gatherings and events. "We serve coffee now, in addition to cookies and books," Moss said. "And now, we're offering for people to host their book club meeting here, so it's just a great fun space."
Isbell added: "You don't really see this around Southeast Texas. All we really have is Barnes & Noble, and they're great, but it's not really local.... [The] majority of small business owners want to give to see other small businesses thrive. I know that (tariffs) are probably coming. Right now it hasn't affected us yet, like with the bookmobile, a lot of that is used books. But a lot of my newer books do come from overseas. I know it's been hard for a lot of people, and we've all been molded by all the changes over the last few years. But we'll continue to push forward and see how it goes."