One More Page bookstore had its soft opening on April 7 and a ribbon-cutting ceremony with the C-Street Merchants Association on April 15 at 306 E. Commercial St. in Springfield, Mo. The Daily Citizen reported that owner Laurali Carroll, who plans to expand the business with a liquor license soon, said Historic C-Street was her ideal place to put the store.
"Commercial Street, to me, is a place that I've seen evolve over the last 20 years to such a vibrant community," she noted. "And I thought, if Springfield needs another bookstore, this is where they need one."
One More Page features new books in a range of categories. "I really just wanted to have something that would appeal to a variety of people," Carroll said. "I'm trying to have a little bit of everything." The bookstore's logo incorporates Carroll's dog, a pit-mix named Sadie. "I would love to have (Sadie) here, but she's way too enthusiastic. We probably won't have a pet in store, but pets are welcome."
Carroll purchased the 3,300-square-foot building that houses her bookstore last fall and renovations began almost immediately, though she said they were mostly cosmetic. She added that she bought the property as an investment in the community.
"I want to be a real part of the community," Carroll noted. "I wanted to be a part of C-Street. I wanted to be fully invested--figuratively and literally--in this community."
The bookstore will eventually offer beer and wine, as Carroll is starting the process of applying for a liquor license and hopes to have one by the end of the year. One More Page will "probably do glasses of wine and maybe beer, just so people can come have a glass of wine and look at books, talk about books, just kind of hang out," she said.
Community events are also key. "Part of my mission is that I want to be part of the community at large and help serve the neighborhoods around us," Carroll said. "I want to do story time. I want to have local authors. And I'd love to do some drag queen story times as well. You know, we want to be here for everyone."
The focus of the business, however, will always be books. "We'll be more bookstore than bar," she noted.