The Story House Bookstore, Springfield, Mo., will host its long-awaited grand opening celebration tomorrow, March 14. The store is located at 1150 E. Walnut St., the former site of Pagination Bookshop, which closed last November after the sale of its building.
Within days of the closing announcement, however, news broke that the space would remain a bookstore under a new name and ownership. It is now operated by Michael Bruner, a recently retired professor of verbal art, and his sister Penny Scroggs, an interior designer and artist. The building, once the home of the late Springfield artist Pinky Marx, is owned by her grandson, Arthur Marx.
"The last three months have flown by, and we are finally gearing up for our GRAND OPENING next Saturday!" the Story House posted on Instagram. "Come see our new cafe lounge and enjoy a range of activities throughout the day."
The Story House sells a variety of books and showcases paintings from Pinky Marx and local artists, the Standard News reported, adding that the shop "aims to build community and provide a cozy, homey setting for readers, artists and art lovers alike."
The bookstore is expanding and will soon feature a 15-seat coffee shop and additional reading rooms on the second story. The coffee shop will replace the science fiction and fantasy room, which has been moved to the second floor.
"We're here to build community and make sure that people are able to have a good time," Bruner said.