The Folded Leaf will relocate from Cedar, Mich., to Traverse City, Mich., this spring, the Glen Arbor Sun reported. Currently, the Folded Leaf is located at 9044 S. Kasson St. in Cedar. In early March, the store will move about 14 miles away, to a space within the Commongrounds Cooperative at 414 E. Eighth St. in Traverse City, with a grand opening to follow in April. The original Cedar location will remain open for the time being, and a closing date will be announced.
Per the Glen Arbor Sun, the Commongrounds Cooperative is Michigan's first cooperative real estate development. It includes "workforce housing, nonprofit and business tenants, common areas, and dedicated spaces for visual arts and events."
Owner Rachel Zemanek, who is from Cedar, had intended to renew the Kasson St. lease and remain in that community. During the renewal process, however, new requirements were introduced that negatively impacted the store's ability to do business. In particular, a new occupancy requirement greatly hindered the store's events program, and instead of offering customers a lesser version of the bookstore, Zemanek decided to move.
In a message to customers, Zemanek said she plans to maintain the bookstore's presence in Leelanau County, in which Cedar resides. In the short term, that most likely will mean pop-ups, book fairs, and other events, but Zemanek intends to one day reopen a bricks-and-mortar store in Cedar.
"Leelanau County is where the Folded Leaf was planted, and those roots still run deep," Zemanek wrote. "Traverse City gives us room to grow, collaborate, and continue building the warm, inclusive, bookish haven you know and love. Think of this as turning the page, not closing the book."
Zemanek founded the Folded Leaf in April 2025. The store sells new and used titles and hosts book clubs, readings, and music nights, as well as larger events in partnership with area nonprofits.