The Wandering Soul, which was founded by Dani Johnson nearly three years ago at 142 E. State St. in Sharon, Pa., "as a cozy shop showcasing local artists--with just a small shelf of books--has transformed into something much bigger: a fully realized independent bookstore rooted in community, creativity and connection," the Business Journal reported.
The shop is hosting a ribbon-cutting ceremony today, August 22, to celebrate the relaunch with exclusive deals, a "bring a book, take a book" swap, and complimentary coffee and cookies.
"When I opened the Wandering Soul, I started as a shop with local art... and some books," Johnson said. "Now I can finally say I'm a bookstore, with more than 2,500 titles on the shelves."
Johnson's path to bookstore ownership "has been anything but conventional," the Business Journal noted. She left high school before graduating, later earning her GED at 21 and a bachelor's degree from Penn State Shenango at 28. She has worked as a server, bartender, caregiver, dog groomer, case manager, social media assistant, and business liaison--"roles that taught her adaptability and connection."
To reach her business goals, Johnson received support from organizations including the city of Sharon, Shenango LaunchBox, Sharon Economic Development Grant Committee, Sharon Community Development Corp., and the Small Business Development Center at Gannon University.
"We are excited to collaborate with Dani and other regional economic development agencies to help strengthen and grow her business," said Tom Roberts, project coordinator for Shenango LaunchBox. "She brings great energy and joy to the downtown community, and it will be exciting to see her dreams take flight."
Johnson added: "This space is about community. It's about joy, safety and walking into a place where something speaks to you--whether it's a story, a piece of art or just a quiet moment."
In an Instagram post announcing the ribbon-cutting, Johnson wrote: "This isn't just a relaunch--it's a celebration of growth, community, and the dream of a little girl who always wanted her own bookstore. Come see how far we've come."