Today we’d like to introduce you to Sally Wills.
Thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, how did you get started?
Beagle and Wolf Books & Bindery were born in 2015 when Beagle Books & Bindery and Sister Wolf Books combined. Sister Wolf was founded in 1994 by Mary Kay Watson, whose goal was to create a community center for book lovers. Sister Wolf soon became known for its excellent selection of books, book discussion groups, and special events. In 2004, Sally Wizik Wills and Bob Wills purchased Sister Wolf. The store was in Dorset, just outside Park Rapids, for 20 years. Beagle Books & Bindery Jill and Deane Johnson, with inspiration and help from their beagle, Kallie, opened Beagle Books in downtown Park Rapids in 2001. In 2007, the Wills purchased Beagle Books. Their daughter, Jennifer, managed the store. Jen began offering bindery services a few years later, and the store’s name was changed to Beagle Books & Bindery.
Let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
There have been many changes in bookselling since we began in 2004! Technology has made running the store more accessible, but it has also brought the challenge of people having more options for reading. The domination of a large online seller has generally changed the retail landscape. The pandemic was another challenge to our business.
Let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Beagle and Wolf Books and Bindery is a family-owned, full-service independent bookstore that offers on-site bindery services. We carry a carefully curated selection of new and used books, including fiction, non-fiction, fantasy/sci-fi, regional, poetry, and children’s books. In addition, we carry greeting cards, road atlases, jewelry, puzzles, games, digital audiobooks, and book-related merchandise. We offer complimentary gift wrapping year-round. Our store book groups are open to the public–we have a men’s group and two women’s groups, and we co-sponsor a group with the local League of Women Voters. We have a robust schedule of author visits, signings, and special events. In addition, we hold three reading retreats each year, providing an opportunity for in-depth discussion of books around a particular theme and cultivating a community of readers. We welcome special orders and specialize in tracking down difficult-to-find books. We are a community hub, selling tickets for many groups in town and collaborating with other businesses and the art community. The store is pet-friendly. To learn more about us, visit our website: www.beagleandwolf.com. To shop our online store, go to shop.beagleandwolf.com. We pride ourselves on our openness to all and our customer service. The store is handicap accessible–come through the rear entrance.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
Park Rapids is in the Heartland Lakes area, a beautiful setting with access to year-round outdoor activities. We have a picturesque downtown, a variety of restaurants, and shopping opportunities. Several art galleries are located downtown, and there are many opportunities to experience live music and theater. While winter weather can be challenging, indoor and outdoor recreation opportunities abound. And, of course, there’s nothing like curling up with a good book on a snowy day!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.beagleandwolf.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beagleandwolf
